Rescued Horse Joins Riverside County Sheriff’s Mounted Enforcement Team

There is good news out of Cabazon nearly one year after a major animal rescue. On August 14, 2024, Riverside County Animal Services, working with the Sheriff’s Rural Crime Team, executed a search warrant at a property in the Cabazon area. Officials discovered several underweight horses and other animals without proper access to food and water in the summer heat. The animals were removed and placed into safe care.

Among them was a horse that would later be named Maverick. Just weeks after the rescue, Deputy Weston Hubbard officially adopted him. Over the next nine months, Hubbard worked closely with Maverick, training him and helping him recover from the trauma of neglect.

Now, almost exactly one year later, Maverick is thriving. The horse has officially joined the Riverside County Sheriff’s Mounted Enforcement Detail. The unit is tasked with community service, patrols, and crowd management, and Maverick is now a symbol of resilience and second chances.

Sheriff’s officials say the transformation of Maverick from a neglected animal to a trusted member of law enforcement shows the importance of animal rescue efforts and the deep bond between deputies and their animals. What began as a tragic discovery in Cabazon has turned into a story of hope, care, and community service.

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