Tragedy at San Jose's Happy Hollow: Dogs kill 4 miniature horses, 1 donkey

The Malinois mix found in the animal enclosure at Happy Hollow Zoo and Park in San Jose on Jan. 20, 2018. A pack of three dogs broke into the enclosure and mauled four miniature horses and one donkey to death. The Malinois mix found in the animal enclosure at Happy Hollow Zoo and Park in San Jose on Jan. 20, 2018. A pack of three dogs broke into the enclosure and mauled four miniature horses and one donkey to death. Photo: San Jose Animal Care And Services Photo: San Jose Animal Care And Services Image 1 of / 67 Caption Close Tragedy at San Jose's Happy Hollow: Dogs kill 4 miniature horses, 1 donkey 1 / 67 Back to Gallery

A San Jose park and zoo is mourning the loss of its beloved miniature horses and donkey. The animals were mauled by dogs that broke into the stables of Happy Hollow Park and Zoo this month, officials said.

Cayenne, Luna, Spice Girl, Sweet William and donkey Maybelline were mainstays of the childhoods of many Bay Area residents, who could pet and visit with the gentle creatures in their hay-covered slice of Happy Hollow. The animals ranged in age from 10 to 30. Three were born at the San Jose zoo decades ago.

"This was a tragedy," said Carolina Caramena of San Jose Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services. "They were our only miniature horses; that was our herd."

Caramena said a pack of three dogs dug under two six-inch chainlink fences to reach the communal animal enclosure on the night of Jan. 19. Happy Hollow staff members found the slaughtered equines covered in bite marks the following morning.

A Belgian Malinois mix, a medium-size canine resembling a German Shepherd, was captured at the scene, according to Animal Care and Services spokesperson Julie St. Gregory.

Another Malinois mix was nabbed two days later near the zoo. Animal Care and Services identified the dog from security footage from Happy Hollow, St. Gregory said. The animal had a rope tied around its neck, leading authorities to suspect it has an owner.

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The third canine, a chihuahua, has not been caught but is "not considered a threat" because of its size, according to St. Gregory.

The Malinois will likely be euthanized because they are considered dangerous, although an owner could file an appeal.

"If an owner comes forward and they wanted to try to keep their dog, they would have to go to a 'dangerous dog hearing,'" said St. Gregory. "It would be up to the judge to deem the dog dangerous, vicious or order it to be euthanized."

If no owners come forward, both dogs will be euthanized regardless.

"We can't adopt them out with the knowledge that they did this," St. Gregory said. She added that both animals are "friendly with people," though even the friendliest of canines can become frenzied when in a pack.

Happy Hollow and Animal Services are monitoring the fence line and will continue to patrol the area while permanent solutions are researched. The park and zoo remains open to the public.

In the comments on a Facebook post on the Happy Hollow page, community members expressed their sorrow and condolences. Many called the deaths "heartbreaking." Some shared fond memories of visits with the horses and shared photos.

"I'm so sadden(ed) to hear of this news," said Letty Ramirez Galindo on Facebook. "They really were the sweetest."

Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf.