On October 12, 2016 at about 0500 hours, a stable hand arrived at San Pascual Stables and found a loose horse at the rear of the stables near the corrals. The horse, known as Kit-Kat (a 10 year old thoroughbred) was in obvious distress and bleeding from a wound to one of her rear legs. The stable's veterinarian was summoned and saw Kit-Kat sweating profusely and rolling on the ground. The veterinarian made a decision to euthanize Kit-Kat. No necropsy was performed since Kit-Kat was cremated shortly after her death.
Police were called to the stables to investigate. The investigation revealed that Kit-Kat was last seen in her stall on October 11th at about 10:30 p.m. Sometime between 10:30 p.m. and when the horse was discovered the next morning, Kit-Kat's stall was opened and either she went out of the stall on her own, or was led out. At this point it is unknown how she was released from her stall.
Police conferred with both the veterinarian who euthanized Kit-Kat and the Pasadena Humane Society, who also went to the stables to investigate the incident. The veterinarian stated he found no signs of puncture wounds or blunt force trauma. Both the veterinarian and Pasadena Humane Society concluded that Kit-Kat's injuries were consistent with the horse thrashing in the enclosed area between the pens, and evidence was found to support that theory.
The South Pasadena Police Department is currently investigating how Kit-Kat was released from her stall. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Manukian (626) 403-7284 case #16-2142. If you would like to provide an anonymous tip, you may call Crime Stoppers by dialing: 800-222-TIPS (8477).
