Starving farm animals rescued in SoCal SANTA CLARITA, Calif., April 6 (UPI) -- Dozens of starving and abused farm animals were rescued from a home near Santa Clarita, Calif., animal control officers said. About two dozen goats and sheep, five cows, 19 birds, a horse and a cat were living in unsanitary conditions and nearly starved to death, KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, reported Friday. The homeowner was described as a backyard butcher who slaughters the animals for personal consumption. The homeowner also is suspected of illegally selling the meat, animal control officers said. Most of the animals were taken to an animal rescue organization.