Leads Sought After Abandoned Horse Found Off Ortega Highway

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — An animal cruelty/abandonment investigation is underway in Riverside County after a starving horse was found off the Ortega Highway, west of Lake Elsinore.

The white and sorrel pinto or Paint horse was male, believed to be just 5 to 7 years old. He was discovered Monday night by a good Samaritan along North Main Divide Road, less than a mile from the Ortega Highway. The area is in the mountains near El Cariso Village, west of Lake Elsinore.

It is believed the horse was abandoned in the area Monday afternoon. Investigators hope someone might have dashcam video of a horse trailer/license plate being hauled in that area — or might know who owned the horse.

Sadly, the horse had to be euthanized due to its poor health condition.

Riverside County Department of Animal Services is working with officials at Animal Friends of the Valleys to check if its officers had any open neglect cases.

Anyone with information that might help investigators is asked to email Riverside County Department of Animal Services at [email protected]