Owners of a horse “rescue” in Florida have been arrested after 69 animals were found starved and abused while under their care.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office Agriculture Detective Kraig McClaskey and Investigator Justin McClure reported to Happy Valley Horse Rescue on November 4, 2025, after they received an anonymous tip regarding the mistreatment of horses at the property, according to a press release obtained by Us Weekly.
Upon their arrival, they met up with David Palacio and Janine Chaux. After Palacio, 57, and Chaux, 58, claimed to the authorities that they run a horse rescue, the officials walked around the property and found many horses visibly malnourished.
Additionally, the horses’ hooves were in dire condition and the stalls were in desperate need of cleaning. The authorities initially observed 54 horses, though the deputies returned to the property two days later and executed a search warrant. They ultimately found 69 horses — with 17 at a neighboring property — that were all under Chaux’s care.
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Authorities said that two of the horses were in such poor condition that medical professionals determined that euthanasia was the most humane option.
A veterinarian examined the horses and rated 20 of them at a critically low body condition of 1 or 2 and sixteen of them at 3, according to the sheriff’s office. The veterinarian also determined that two horses required humane euthanasia.
“These were supposed to be rescue horses, but instead, they were starving, suffering, and neglected. This breaks hearts in horse country, and it makes all of us angry,” Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said in a statement, per CBS 12. “We will continue to pursue animal abusers and bring them to justice.”
Following the investigation, Palacio and Chaux were arrested on Monday, April 6, on 22 counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty and 16 counts of Animal Cruelty. They are currently being held at Marion County Jail on $71,000 bond each.
It is not currently clear if Palacio and Chaux have entered pleas or retained legal counsel following their arrests.
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The Marion County Sheriff’s Office had no further updates to share about the case when contacted by Us.
In light of the discovery, the horses were seized and transported to the MCSO Agriculture Investigations Farm for treatment and care. They have all since been successfully rehabilitated.
The sheriff’s office also said in the press release that they would like to thank their community partners and the horse rescues who worked alongside them to provide care and aid the horses back to health.
