Dying sheep found underneath dead animals
OREGON -- Two Junction City area men face animal abuse charges, accusing them of dumping sheep carcasses into a ditch.
The animals were found in a ditch on Cox Butte Road.
Police say a dying sheep, found under the carcasses of at least four other sheep, had to be put down.
Trooper Marc Boyd also discovered several aborted lambs and a live ewe underneath the dead animals and body parts, according to according to the state police.
"For me, it was actually very disturbing that someone would do that," Boyd said, who began working for the state Department of Wildlife in 1990. "I've never come across anything like that."
After assessing the ewe's condition, Boyd determined that he had no choice but to destroy the animal.
"She had shallow breathing and was in very poor condition," Boyd said, adding the aborted lambs were found to have come from the ewe.
"The only right thing to do was euthanize her at the scene."
Boyd then contacted several sheep ranchers in the area and at 4:11 p.m. found that Sanchez - who lives on Dorcy Lane southeast of Junction City - had evidence at his residence, including several Barbados sheep similar to the carcasses, tying him to the dump site.
Sergio Sanchez, 44, and Rosendo Orbe Diaz, 22, both from the Junction City area, were cited Feb. 6 on charges of animal neglect. Diaz was also cited on a charge of placing an offensive substance in waters or other property for allegedly helping Sanchez dispose of the carcasses.
The citations are misdemeanors, carrying up to $6,250 in fines and one year in jail.
(KVAL - Feb 13, 2008)