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Residents urge county action on alleged animal neglect at Artesian Road; callers ask for removals and prosecutions
Summary
During non-agenda public comment, multiple callers and animal-welfare advocates urged San Diego County to investigate alleged neglect and cruelty to horses and companion animals at properties on Artesian Road, called for prosecution of a named individual, and urged stronger enforcement of animal-welfare laws.
Dozens of callers during non-agenda public comment at the San Diego County Board of Supervisors meeting on May 7 urged the county to take enforcement action after repeated reports of animal neglect and cruelty at properties on Artesian Road.
Dora Fahim, president and founder of the Los Angeles Alliance for Animals, told the board that recent felony animal-cruelty prosecutions in Los Angeles demonstrate a need for stronger enforcement in San Diego: "Animal cruelty is not just a moral issue. It's a public safety crisis," Fahim said. She urged removal of horses at Artesian Road and asked that "Deborah Barclay [be] prosecuted for allegations of criminal animal cruelty toward the horses."
Other callers described emaciated animals, dogs kept in shelters without adequate exercise, horses eating moldy hay and drinking algae-laden water, and multiple instances where neighborhood residents had reported conditions. One caller said this was her third time calling to raise the same issues and referenced alleged violations of "Hayden's law." Several callers named Artesian Road specifically and urged that county staff visit the site.
Christina Koo, a California attorney who said she has worked on environmental and animal-related cases in the state, urged the county to enlist and coordinate with local volunteers and advocates who have supplied detailed reports and addresses: "There are a lot of folks in the county who are your eyes and ears ... I certainly would like to see these intelligent, compassionate, credible residents of San Diego be of service to you and help the animals too," she said.
Speakers asked the board to remove animals from the property, pursue criminal charges where warranted and to make county animal-services staff more responsive to repeatedly submitted reports. Callers requested legal accountability and restoration of prior staff who had experience enforcing animal-welfare matters.
The speakers in non-agenda public comment included local advocates and residents who gave addresses and details the callers said documented ongoing neglect. The board did not take an action on the record during the public-comment period; non-agenda public comment concluded at the end of the meeting. The public remarks were entered into the record for possible follow-up by county staff.
