Overview
- David Palacio and Janine Chaux, arrested Monday, face 22 aggravated animal cruelty counts plus 16 cruelty counts and are held on a $71,000 bond.
- An anonymous complaint led investigators to Happy Valley Horse Rescue on Northwest 95th Avenue Road in Ocala on November 4.
- Deputies reported underweight horses in dirty stalls with soiled bedding, and some animals appeared in pain when walking.
- A veterinarian found more than 30 horses emaciated or near emaciated, and two were euthanized as the most humane option.
- Counts varied across reports as the search widened, with the sheriff’s office later citing 69 horses on the main property and 17 more at a nearby site in Chaux’s care.
- The sheriff’s office seized the horses, provided treatment at its Agriculture Investigations Farm, and began transferring them to established rescues across the state.