Two horses were recently rescued from neglect on a Rainbow Valley property in Maricopa County, Arizona, where officials found them underfed and one suffering from potentially infectious matting. The owner faces charges while the animals receive care at a safe haven. This case is part of a broader crackdown on animal abuse in the region, highlighted by the recent arrest of Julie Dimick for abandoning multiple animals in deplorable conditions in Litchfield Park.

Sheriff Jerry Sheridan emphasized that animal abuse often signals potential violence toward humans and vowed strict enforcement against offenders. The Arizona Humane Society reported over 10,000 cruelty calls last year, many heat-related during summer months, prompting expanded state laws requiring proper care for pets. Rescued animals from these cases are often made available for adoption through Maricopa County’s MASH unit.