Residents press supervisors to act after repeated complaints about animal neglect and Department of Animal Services oversight

A steady stream of public commenters at the Jan. 28 San Diego County Board of Supervisors meeting urged board action on alleged animal neglect, focused on a property on Artesian Road where commenters said horses and dogs are in poor condition.

Speakers included local advocates and residents who described repeated complaints to county departments and said they believe the Department of Animal Services (DAS) has failed to act. Zohra Fahim, president and founder of Los Angeles Alliance for Animals, told the board she had been advised “many DAS employees are unhappy” and said leadership should be changed; other callers demanded immediate removal and rehoming of animals and urged the board to fire the DAS director, naming Kathleen Flannery.

Several callers described seeing animals standing in heavy rain and wind and reported visible wounds, poor body condition and animals forced to eat in unsanitary conditions. One caller referenced photographic material, saying a county veterinarian had documented underweight horses with lacerations. Commenters asked the board to give residents authority to act or to bring in outside help (including the National Guard) if looting or safety is a concern during removals.

Speakers said they had repeatedly reported the Artesian Road situation for more than a year, that county responses had been inadequate, and that the problem was ongoing. Some called for immediate emergency removal and rehoming of the animals; others asked the board to require the county to include adoptable animals in supervisor newsletters to increase rehoming opportunities.

Board staff did not announce any immediate enforcement action during the meeting and the item remained in the public‑comment record; supervisors did not take a separate vote on enforcement during Tuesday’s session. The board’s rules allow non‑agenda comment but generally limit the board’s ability to act on matters that are not already noticed on the agenda other than referring items to the chief administrative officer for follow up.

What residents asked for

Public commenters requested immediate removal and rehoming of animals, stronger enforcement action by DAS, removal or firing of DAS leadership, emergency hearings, and expanded public communication about adoptable animals and enforcement outcomes.

What the board did at the meeting

During the meeting the chair acknowledged the comments and closed the public‑comment period for that agenda slot; no supervisors announced immediate enforcement actions on the dais during the session. Under board rules non‑agenda matters can be referred to the chief administrative officer for follow‑up.

Why it matters

Speakers framed the issue as an ongoing animal welfare and public‑safety concern that has persisted despite repeated complaints to county staff. The public testimony indicates sustained community demands for enforcement and greater transparency from the Department of Animal Services.

Speakers quoted in this article come from the public record of the Jan. 28, 2025 board meeting.