Gina Heslop
A troubling case of animal cruelty was uncovered in Clements, California, where police discovered 27 dead horses on a woman’s property.
The woman, 62-year-old Jan Johnson, has been arrested and faces multiple charges, including animal cruelty, possession of an illegal weapon, and threatening public officials.
The investigation began after reports of ongoing animal neglect led to a search warrant being issued for Johnson’s property. When officers arrived on January 22, they were met with a horrifying scene.
Alongside the 27 deceased horses, many other animals were found in terrible condition, suffering from starvation and neglect. Some animals had little to no access to food or water, and their health had deteriorated significantly.
To address the situation, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office collaborated with local animal welfare organizations, including Animal Control Services, Oakdale Animal Rescue, and Sweet Equine Animal Clinic.
Together, they worked to assess and rescue the surviving animals. Over 60 horses were taken from the property and are now receiving much-needed care. Sadly, four horses and a bull were in such poor health that they had to be euthanized to prevent further suffering.
Oakdale Animal Rescue shared updates on social media, expressing gratitude for the support they received. They also set up donation pages to help cover the costs of veterinary care, food, and other needs for the rescued animals. The rescued horses are temporarily housed in safe locations, and veterinarians continue to treat those that remain on the property.
Jan Johnson was taken into custody and booked at the San Joaquin County Jail but was released later that same day. It was revealed that she had prior warrants for making threats against a school and its staff, as well as against officers.
In addition to the charges of animal cruelty, she is now facing charges for making criminal threats. Johnson’s arraignment in court is scheduled for January 24.
