PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. – A Hollister woman was arrested after deputies removed three emaciated horses from a rural property and one of the animals was euthanized, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said.
The horse that died, an 8-year-old bay mare named Alex, was living in what the sheriff’s office described as “less than ideal conditions.” A neighbor first raised concerns in late June after contacting the owner about whether she had horses for sale.
The owner, Cheyenne Baldwin, 29, told the neighbor she was selling a horse, Alex, for $1,800 and sent a photo. The neighbor said the horse looked in poor condition and offered to take Alex for treatment free of charge; Baldwin declined and the neighbor then notified the sheriff’s office.
Agriculture Deputy Mullins contacted Baldwin, who said Alex was a “hard keeper” and was having difficulty eating. Mullins took photos and submitted a search-warrant affidavit to the state attorney’s office.
On July 8, a search warrant was approved and deputies removed three horses, including Alex, from the property. The sheriff’s office said all three animals showed emaciation ranging from moderate to severe. They were taken to a horse rescue for veterinary care and rehabilitation.
A veterinarian evaluated the horses on July 10. On July 13, the veterinarian was called back after Alex fell into distress; the vet, caretakers and Deputy Mullins decided to humanely euthanize the mare, the sheriff’s office said.
The veterinarian’s findings noted that all three horses needed hoof care from a qualified farrier and dental work from an equine dentist. Two of the horses also had rain rot, a preventable skin condition that can be avoided with regular grooming, keeping horses dry, using fly spray and maintaining overall health, the sheriff’s office said.
A warrant was issued for Baldwin on Tuesday, and she was arrested that afternoon on three counts of cruelty toward animals. She was booked into the Putnam County Jail and released on $30,000 bond.
The other two horses, Sanji and June Bug, are receiving treatment at the rescue and are expected to make a full recovery, the sheriff’s office said.