A woman running a “horse rescue” in Lake County has been arrested on seven counts of animal cruelty.
Based on an anonymous tip received this past week, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Animal Enforcement Unit began an investigation into possible neglect involving several horses at the Kings Cove Horse Rescue located at 35403 Huff Road in Eustis.
Upon initial investigation several horses appeared malnourished and the owner of the rescue, 46-year-old Angel King, was given a plan to improve the health of the animals.
Upon re-examination of the horses on Friday, it was determined that King had not complied with the plan and the horses remained in poor health.
A veterinarian employed by Lake County Animal Services evaluated the health of the horses based on an established scale. Seven horses were well below what an acceptable health rating would be. The seven horses were taken into protective custody and placed with a reputable horse fostering organization via Lake County Animal Services. The case was turned over to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Agricultural Unit for criminal investigation of animal cruelty.
The agricultural unit presented their case on Monday to a judge and obtained a warrant for King’s arrest on seven counts of animal cruelty. She was booked at the Lake County Jail on $35,000 bond.
