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MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A young woman, aged 22, is being charged with animal cruelty after authorities discovered a “starving” horse under her supervision, reported by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
On Wednesday, officers responded to a residence in the 15700 block of NW 27th Ave. in Citra, following a tip-off about a malnourished horse.
The news release revealed that officers found a 17-year-old thoroughbred gelding named “Bully,” who was in severe distress, with visible ribs, tailhead, and hip bones.
Deputies said that Isabella Rose Medina told them that she received the horse a year ago, and the animal began to lose weight in the last month.
“She had not received veterinary care for Bully, but believes he just needs hay, which she doesn’t have,” the release read in part.
The next day, the deputies, armed with a search warrant, returned and transported Bully from the property to their Agriculture Investigations facility for a veterinary assessment.
According to the release, the horse was found down in his stall and too weak to stand on the following morning.
MCSO AGRICULTURE UNIT ARREST WOMAN FOR AGGRAVATED ANIMAL CRUELTY
MCSO AGRICULTURE UNIT ARREST WOMAN FOR AGGRAVATED ANIMAL CRUELTY
Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Detective Kraig McClaskey arrested Isabella Rose Medina (DOB: 12/12/2002) for Aggravated Animal Cruelty.
On July 23, 2025, MCSO Civilian Agricultural Investigator McClure responded to a home in the 15700 block of NW 27th Ave, in Citra, after receiving a complaint about an underweight horse. Upon arriving at the residence, he located a 17-year-old Old Bay Thoroughbred Gelding named Bully, who was severely malnourished, with all ribs, tailhead and hip bones visible. Investigator McClure interviewed Medina, who informed him that she received the horse a year ago and in the last month he began to lose weight. She had not received veterinary care for Bully, but believes he just needs hay, which she doesn’t have.
A Search and Seizure warrant was issued on July 24, 2025, and MCSO deputies responded back to the home and took possession of Bully and brought him back to our Agriculture Investigations farm to be evaluated by a veterinarian. The next morning, the horse was down in the stall and too weak to stand. The veterinarian with the Peterson Smith Equine Hospital responded to evaluate the horse. Bully was found to have rain rot, and a body condition score of one, which indicates he was emaciated with no palpable fat or visible fat coverage throughout his body, coupled with muscle depreciation. Due to the severity of Bully’s condition, the veterinarian recommended medical euthanasia to prevent further suffering.
At the conclusion of the investigation, it was determined that Medina intentionally deprived Bully of adequate food and medical care.
Medina was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail.
Posted by Marion County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Upon examination, the vet determined Bully suffered from “rain rot” and had a body condition score of one. This score signifies he was utterly emaciated, lacking any palpable or visible fat, and showing signs of muscle wastage.
Deputies said that because of Bully’s condition, it was recommended that the horse be put down to prevent further suffering.
According to the release, the release determined Medina intentionally deprived the horse of food and medical care.
Medina was placed under arrest and taken to the Marion County jail, where she faces charges of animal cruelty.
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MCSO AGRICULTURE UNIT ARREST WOMAN FOR AGGRAVATED ANIMAL CRUELTY
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