LANCASTER (CNS) – A woman accused of bearing responsibility for the starvation deaths of four horses at a Leona Valley stable pleaded not guilty to felony charges.
Aron Emily Jacques, 34, of Santa Clarita, is facing four felony counts of cruelty to an animal and five misdemeanor counts of failure to care for an animal, according to Deputy District Attorney Daniel Rochmes.
Two of the horses died, and two had to be euthanized as a result of Jacques’ allegedly negligent care, the prosecutor said.
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control discovered horses starving on Jacques’ property in February, according to Rochmes.
Jacques faces up to 7 1/2 years behind bars if convicted of the charges, which were filed June 25.
She is due back in court Jan. 13 for a preliminary hearing.