"Big Boy," a friendly tan Shetland pony, was found wandering the streets earlier this month in Norwalk.
Aaron Reyes, director of the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority in Downey, said officials were unable to determine who may have owned the pony or how it wound up in Norwalk. They were unable to find his owner after leading him around town and asking residents whether they knew anything about the little guy.
That's when the right guy with the right place -- a ranch -- stepped in. Joe Sandoval, who has a ranch near Hemet, started making his case for adopting the pony.
"Mr. Sandoval was very diligent in keeping in touch with us, even sending us photos of his property and his animals," Reyes said. "His two daughters, 17 and 13, love horses and begged him to call us to adopt Big Boy."
Reyes said Sandoval's youngest daughter is in a wheelchair.
"I cannot wait to see the look in her eyes when she meets the pony. I hear she's quite the horse charmer," Reyes said.
The family plans to pick up the gift horse later Thursday.
