Novato is part of Marin county. The elites and pseudo elites who live in Marin and feel that no laws apply to them.
I can remember liberal idiots in Marin in the 1970’s having tigers, lions and other predator killers in their homes as a pet or as an elite novelity.
Then, when an economic downturn happens, often these critters are abandoned in the countryside or edge of a community.
When this current economic downturn was red hot in 2008, a common traffic problem reported on the radio or tv in marvelous Marin was abandoned horses on country roads.
Aren’t you in Santa Rosa, or are you further east in Napa County? Either way, its just a short monkey-jump over to your neck of the woods...