OREGON -- Eight horses have been recovered from a muddy field in South Salem where they were virtually starving and dying from lack of food, water and medical attention.
On Friday, February 10th, Sr. Deputy Skip Lumley received an anonymous call reporting a down horse in a field in the 5400 block of 36th Avenue SE. Lumley arrived at the field around 8:45am and found the horse laying down, mired in mud and obviously in distress.
On Friday, February 10th, Sr. Deputy Skip Lumley received an anonymous call reporting a down horse in a field in the 5400 block of 36th Avenue SE. Lumley arrived at the field around 8:45am and found the horse laying down, mired in mud and obviously in distress.
Dr. Terry Garros, of Salem, came to check on the horse’s condition. Garros determined the horse was quite old, suffering from malnutrition, and near death. It was decided that the most humane action would be to euthanize the animal.
During the following days, Deputy Skip Lumley was assisted by Deputy Brenda Lumley, a recognized animal abuse investigator. They determined that there were a number of other horses on the 50-acre parcel that were also suffering from malnutrition and neglect. Some areas of the field were 10"-15" deep in mud, there was no shelter, no available drinking water, and only small amounts of bent straw grass available to the horses.
During the following days, Deputy Skip Lumley was assisted by Deputy Brenda Lumley, a recognized animal abuse investigator. They determined that there were a number of other horses on the 50-acre parcel that were also suffering from malnutrition and neglect. Some areas of the field were 10"-15" deep in mud, there was no shelter, no available drinking water, and only small amounts of bent straw grass available to the horses.
Deputy Brenda Lumley described the conditions as "deplorable; probably the worst I’ve seen in many years of doing this work". There was evidence that the horses were eating Scotch Broom a potentially poisonous plant to horses. The only water available was puddled water from recent rains.
Eventually, they located a woman who was out of state, but claimed to be renting the property and admitted owning some of the horses. She indicated that other horses on the property belonged to a second woman who watched all of the horses while the renter was away. Deputies are arranging for interviews with that woman and her relatives who stayed at the property.
The out-of-state renter, whose identity is not being released at this time, agreed to surrender her horses as long as they were taken by a rescue agency for equines.
Eventually, they located a woman who was out of state, but claimed to be renting the property and admitted owning some of the horses. She indicated that other horses on the property belonged to a second woman who watched all of the horses while the renter was away. Deputies are arranging for interviews with that woman and her relatives who stayed at the property.
The out-of-state renter, whose identity is not being released at this time, agreed to surrender her horses as long as they were taken by a rescue agency for equines.
At approximately 9:00am today, both deputies, members of the MCSO Posse, and local Veterinarian, Dr. Barbara Kahl, of United SPCA in Newburg, arrived at the field and loaded eight horses into trailers for transportation.
The horses included 1 stallion, 3 geldings, and 4 mares ranging in age from 5-25 years of age. Dr. Kahl confirmed that the horses were suffering from rain rot, foot diseases, parasites and overall malnutrition. The BCS (Body Condition Score) ratings for these horses ranged from .5 to 1.5 on a scale of 0 to 10 with the optimum being between 4 and 5.
Three of the horses were transported by the MCSO Posse to the USPCA facility in Newburg, and the remaining 5 were transported to Strawberry Mountain Mustangs in Roseburg.
A search of the property revealed six other dead horses. Some were in various states of decomposition, and several were buried in grave. Photos are attached – but they should viewed with caution as they are disturbing.
Three of the horses were transported by the MCSO Posse to the USPCA facility in Newburg, and the remaining 5 were transported to Strawberry Mountain Mustangs in Roseburg.
A search of the property revealed six other dead horses. Some were in various states of decomposition, and several were buried in grave. Photos are attached – but they should viewed with caution as they are disturbing.
Marion County Code Enforcement was at the scene this morning, viewing the property, the house, and a quantity of junked cars and debris to determine if there is evidence of other code violations. The property is nestled among some industrial buildings and not readily visible to its neighbors.
The investigation is continuing. Both Deputies are working to identify the person or persons responsible for the care of the animals.
The investigation is continuing. Both Deputies are working to identify the person or persons responsible for the care of the animals.
Both United SPCA and Strawberry Mountain Mustangs are charitable organizations that accept contributions to assist them in caring for abused equines. They provide rescue services to our Office without charge.
More information will be released when the responsible(s) in this investigation are identified.
(Flash Alert Portland - Feb 16, 2012)
