Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 11/03/2008

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Hilary Moores - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine Cook

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

JURY CONVICTS BLOOMFIELD MAN OF ANIMAL CRUELTY INVOLVING HORSES

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today the successful prosecution of Defendant Salvador Barrera, 35, of Bloomfield, on charges of animal cruelty involving three horses.  On October 28, 2008, after a 6-day trial, a Sonoma County jury found Salvador Barrera guilty of three counts of animal cruelty, including one felony and two misdemeanors, for the neglect and maltreatment of three horses.

District Attorney Passalacqua stated, “I am hopeful this conviction will send a message that people who abuse or neglect animals in our community will be held accountable for their actions.”

During the night of November 25, 2007, a neighbor heard loud banging noises coming from the stall on Barrera’s property on Lincoln Street in Bloomfield.  The next morning, the neighbor found a dead horse in the stall and called Animal Control.  Animal Control officers arrived and noted that the deceased horse was emaciated. There was no food or water in the stall.  The two surviving horses in the pasture did not have anything to eat.  Veterinarian Grant Miller examined the dead horse and the two surviving horses.  Dr. Miller determined that the first horse died in the stall of a colonic torsion. The horse was emaciated. On March 27, 2008, Animal Control officers visited the property and found no water in the surviving horses’ pasture.  Animal Control seized the two horses that day.

The surviving horses were placed in a foster home through the Coins to Help Abandoned and NeGlected Equines (CHANGE) program, which provides foster and adoption services to neglected and abused horses.  After 30 days of proper nutrition both surviving horses gained about 150 pounds each.  They have since been adopted to good homes.

The jury was divided 11-1 for guilt on co-defendant Laura Valencia, 35 years old of Bloomfield. On October 31, 2008, she pled no contest to a misdemeanor charge of  animal cruelty.  The court sentenced her to one year court probation and 20 hours of community service to be completed in a veterinarian’s office.

Defendant Berrera will be sentenced on November 26, 2008.  He is facing up to 3 years in state prison.

Deputy District Attorney Marianna Green handled the prosecution of this case.   She was assisted by District Attorney Investigator Dave Kahl.