Two horses killed at Los Cerrillos animal sanctuary
Jul. 9—A recent mountain lion attack has left two foals dead at the Horse Shelter, a Los Cerrillos-based nonprofit horse sanctuary.
The shelter's board president Jennifer Rios wrote in a statement the organization has taken measures to protect the rest of its herd and warn neighbors in Los Cerrillos, Galisteo and other communities along N.M. 14 about a "large male mountain lion" that could be active in the area.
The attack occurred in the first week of July, she said.
"We are completely devastated by this loss and in response have taken as many precautions and actions as possible," Rios wrote. "We have moved our other mares with foals and the one remaining mare that came into the shelter pregnant, off of our property as they are at the greatest risk."
Rios wrote the shelter is working with government authorities as well as "a highly respected private contractor" to prevent future attacks.
The organization works to rescue and rehabilitate "New Mexico's abandoned, abused, and neglected horses," according to its website. Rios said the incident was the first such attack in the shelter's nearly 25-year history.
"We are doing everything in our power to ensure it never happens again," she wrote. "Please keep us and our herd in your thoughts and take every precaution to protect your own animals."
