Undersheriff Clay Myers said the department had been investigating an animal abuse case at Emerald City Thoroughbred Project for “awhile” and received a warrant to remove the horses Tuesday.
The Sheriff’s office intends to seek animal neglect charges against James and Deborah Kingcade, who operate the rescue.
Photos taken by the Sheriff’s office show several underfed horses.
The Sheriff’s Office has worked with the Kittitas County Prosecutor’s office on the case and Myers said charges would likely be filed within the next couple days.
The Sheriff’s office has dealt with the couple on and off over the past couple years, Myers said.
“Sometimes it looks like things are going the right direction, time passes, then we’re right back where we started,” Myers said.
Myers said his office works with local veterinarians, the livestock brand inspector, volunteers and owners to find solutions for animal neglect cases.
Most of the time this process works, he said.
Myers said the horses were taken to a secure facility, but did not want to release that location to protect the horses.
While the Sheriff’s office is caring for the horses now, it is unclear where they will be in the longterm.
The owners have 15 days to contest the seizure. There would then be a hearing to determine if the owners get the horses back.
“We could place the horses, sell the horses, in accordance with the law,” Myers said.
The Sheriff’s office intends to petition the court to restrict the Kingcades’ future possession of horses, because they have established a pattern of neglect, he said.
Myers said another aspect of the investigation will be to determine whether the Kingcades abused their nonprofit status.
“They are receiving donations and money to care for these animals,” he said, adding that if they can’t care for them, they should make arrangements to find them proper care.
Myers said the investigation was triggered by reports from concerned citizens.
Mary Bradley says she had a "positive experience"... but that was five years ago. Obviously things went downhill since then
Mary Bradley of Mount Vernon said she had nothing but a positive experience when the Kingcades re-homed her horse five years ago.
She had purchased a thoroughbred for barrel racing, but due to health issues the horse couldn’t compete.
The Kingcades helped find the horse a new home in Eastern Washington with a girl in 4-H.
“I personally at that time felt Debbie had a good heart and good intention,” she said. “I felt she had a big heart.”
“There’s no way I would have left the horse if I thought it would be in ill hands,” she said. “After inspecting the place, I was confident the horse would find a good home.”
Stolen horse
The Kingcades were also found to be in possession of a 14-year-old thoroughbred chestnut mare, which is owned by Aine Morris, a Whatcom County woman, according to court documents.
Kittitas County Superior Court Judge Frances Chmelewski found on March 3 that the Kingcades refused to return the mare to Morris and caused her severe emotional distress. The Kingades were ordered to pay $1,328.10.
Morris had purchased the extremely lame mare for $100 after it was rejected from an auction in September.
Morris contacted Deborah Kingcade to find someone who could provide short-term boarding for the horse, which is how she came in contact with Breanne Gordon of Puyallup, according to court documents.
Morris told Gordon and Deborah Kingcade that she refused to authorize a transfer to Kingcade’s property, but on Sept. 15, Gordon transported the mare anyway to the Cle Elum horse rescue.
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| Aine Morris says this is where her stolen horse was being kept locked up by the Kingcades |
When she first heard law enforcement seized 14 horses, she said she was so neglected she began shaking.
She said she is concerned the owners wouldn’t be convicted of animal neglect charges.
Efforts to reach the Kingcades for comment were unsuccessful.
(Daily Record - May 11, 2016)
