A California equine sanctuary is the subject of a lawsuit seeking the removal of allegedly maltreated horses residing there.

Established in the 1980s, the California Equine Rescue Foundation (CERF) has rehabilitated retired Thoroughbred racehorses and other sport horses and provided them a sanctuary for the remainder of their lives. Over time, the organization earned a high-profile status and received numerous grants and bequests, including from those within the horseracing industry.

In May, law enforcement authorities in Riverside County, California, began investigating the conditions of the horses residing at the CEFR facility in San Jacinto. Further investigation revealed that the animals were allegedly malnourished. Authorities subsequently removed four horses from the sanctuary and placed them at the United Pegasus Foundation (UPF) for rehabilitative care.

In June another 38 horses were removed from the sanctuary and placed under UPF care