Jennifer Bryant, the 25-year-old manager of Chapparal Ranch, a horse-riding facility in the Bay Area, has been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty following the death of a severely emaciated horse named Honey in July 2024. Despite a March inspection revealing Honey was sickly and infested with lice, and a veterinarian recommending a special diet and follow-up care, Bryant allegedly failed to provide the necessary treatment. Honey was later found unable to stand and extremely thin, leading to euthanasia; an examination revealed the horse was infested with intestinal worms that proper care could have prevented.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney emphasized that Honey’s death was avoidable with appropriate veterinary care and condemned the neglect. Bryant faces up to one year in jail if convicted. The case highlights concerns about animal welfare at Chapparal Ranch, where complaints had previously prompted investigations into animal abuse.