Collier County detectives arrested a man and woman after investigations found the couple failed to properly nutrition, shelter and medically care for a horse in their care.
Diego Garza, 43, and Elisa Godinez, 38, are each facing charges of aggravated animal cruelty.
Detectives said that the brown and white Quarter Horse named Monarcas was severely thin and weak.
“There is absolutely no reason a helpless animal should have been allowed to suffer and not receive proper care, especially with all of the resources in our community,” Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said.
The couple's arrest came after CCSO was alerted about the horse running loose on 37th Avenue in Golden Gate Estates around midnight on August11.
A CCSO agriculture unit deputy was able to capture the horse before taking it to Collier County Domestic Animal Services for evaluation and care.
Through investigations, detectives tracked the horse to Harza and Godinez. The couple reportedly told detectives they've owned Monarcas since last August after the horse's previous owner moved away.
Reports say the area where they kept Monarcas did not have any shelter, hay or roughage.
A large animal veterinarian evaluated Monarcas and determined the horse was starving due to insufficient and improper food.
A horse of Monarcas's size should weigh between 900 and 1,000 pounds. Reports say the horse weighed 670 pounds.
Monarcas is estimated to be 20-25 years old.
CCSO says in the few weeks that Monarcas has been at DAS, the horse is gaining weight and showing improvement.
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