Florez investigates gruesome discovery of dead horses
Senator calls in CDFA after half dozen animals found in plastic behind south Bakersfield business

BAKERSFIELD -- Responding to horrific reports of dead horses covered in plastic and being dipped in formaldehyde behind a business in south Bakersfield, Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez today called on the California Department of Food & Agriculture to conduct an immediate inquiry into the possible inhumane treatment of animals.

In a letter today to the State Veterinarian, Dr. Richard Breitmeyer, DVM, Florez asks that CDFA determine whether or not the gruesome scenario at Sargeant’s Wholesale Biological, reported to the local KGET TV station by a shocked viewer, involves a violation of state law.

Local code enforcement officers called out to investigate the disturbing discovery indicated the handling of animals was not an issue that was within their jurisdiction.

“I believe that the humane treatment of animals is a core value that should be recognized and embraced by any person or business that is in contact with animals, no matter what point in the life cycle such contact occurs,” Florez wrote in today’s letter, adding, “Therefore, it is important to ensure that people’s actions as they relate to animals are in strict conformance with our laws.”

The owner of the business, Michael Sargeant, told KGET his is the only business on the West Coast providing such specimens to veterinary schools.  In May of this year he pleaded no contest to soliciting unlawful gifts, allegedly for bribing a former director of the Tulare County Animal Shelter to provide him with euthanized cats and dogs.
 
Attached is a copy of today’s letter from Florez to Breitmeyer.

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11 03 09 Ltr to CDFA re Horse Death Investigation.doc