MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – On Monday, April 6, 2026, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Agriculture Detective Kraig McClaskey arrested 57-year-old David Palacio (DOB: 06/09/1968) and 58-year-old Janine Chaux (DOB: 09/23/1967) for 22 counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty and 16 counts of Animal Cruelty.
On November 4, 2025, Detective McClaskey and Agriculture Investigator Justin McClure responded to Happy Valley Horse Rescue, located at 4250 NW 95th Avenue Road, Ocala, in reference to an anonymous complaint about neglected horses. Upon arrival, contact was made with Palacio and Chaux, who agreed to provide a tour of the property and horses. Through their investigation, investigators found that most of the horses were underweight, with bony structures visible, hooves in deplorable condition, and some appearing to be in pain while walking. The stalls in the barn had not been cleared of excrement and soiled bedding for an extended period of time. When confronted about the conditions, Palacio and Chaux could not explain the neglect and were unable to provide a total number of horses on the property. A total of 54 horses were found on the property.
On November 5 and 6, 2025, MCSO personnel executed a search and seizure warrant at Happy Valley Horse Rescue for a total of 69 horses. While at the location, an additional 17 horses were discovered on the neighboring property that showed similar signs of neglect. These horses were also in the care of Chaux. An equine veterinarian examined the body conditions of the horses on a scale from 1 to 9 (1 being emaciated and 9 being obese). He assigned a score of 1 or 2 to 20 of the horses and a score of 3 to 16 of them. Two of the horses were in such poor condition that medical professionals determined that euthanasia was the most humane option.
Palacio and Chaux were placed under arrest and transported to the Marion County Jail, where they are held with bonds of $71,000 each.
After the horses were seized, they were transported to the MCSO Agriculture Investigations Farm for treatment and care, and they have been successfully rehabilitated. MCSO would also like to extend our gratitude to our community partners and the horse rescues who have worked alongside us to provide care and have now taken custody of the horses.