Animal Services helps evacuate hundreds of horses from Valley fires

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The Los Angeles Department of Animal Services helped evacuate 276 horses and 132 small animals from the Sesnon and Marek fires in the north San Fernando Valley, the department reported today.

According to the department, 159 horses were taken to Pierce College, 46 to Hansen Dam, nine to Peter Pitchess Honor Farm in Castaic, and 62 to the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.

As for smaller animals -- such as chickens, goats, sheep and rabbits -- 108 were taken to the Mission Animal Care Center and another 24 to the West Valley Animal Care Center.

One cat was reported singed; one poodle is on medication for seizures; one horse sustained a gash -- it presumably cut itself on a fence -- and another horse sustained a leg injury while running. Both injured horses were transported to a veterinarian for treatment.

All other animals are reported to be doing well, the department said.

The department’s Animal Rescue Team responded to a call to recover two horses killed by the fire on a ranch in the Browns Canyon area.

Southern California residents were reminded to keep their pets inside during the fires. Animal Services said that anyone who sees a sick or injured animal should stay away from it and call (888) 452-7381 for help.

-- Francisco Vara-Orta