Lebanon Woman Arrested for Animal Neglect

Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller reports that a Lebanon woman has been arrested for multiple counts of animal neglect.

Cheryl Ann Hainz-Justice was arrested and charged with 19 counts of Animal Neglect I Photo: Linn County Sheriff

(ALBANY) - A Lebanon woman faces 19 counts of animal neglect stemming from an investigation on her property at 39627 Mount Hope Road in Lebanon.

46-year old Cheryl Ann Hainz-Justice was arrested and taken to the Linn County Jail for 19 counts of Animal Neglect I.

Hainz-Justice was arrested by deputies who began their investigation after a report was turned into the Sheriff's Office on January 27th.

Deputies say that when they reached the property, they discovered 19 seriously neglected horses and 16 more horses that were dead.

Sheriff Mueller says the horses and property had changed owners about a week prior to the complaint and investigation.

"After an examination by a veterinarian, the horses without any medical problems were sold at auction. Those with problems were identified and turned over to volunteers who are providing care for these horses."

Mueller says the investigation is ongoing.