Mueller says Thursday's horse rescue was one of the largest in Linn County's history.
(ALBANY, Ore.) - Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller says deputies with his agency seized 31 horses from property in Mill City following an animal neglect investigation Thursday.
"The 31 horses were in immediate need of medical care in order to survive and have been placed in foster care with members of Linn County Animal Rescue, a nonprofit organization that assists law enforcement and provides care for animals in rescues such as these," Mueller said.
He added that the horses that were removed from the property were extremely malnourished or had injuries.
30-year old Tania Lynne Herring, who lives at the property on SE Fourth Ave. in Mill City, was charged with 30 counts of second-degree animal neglect and cited to appear in Linn County Circuit Court on Feb. 24.
Mueller says she relinquished ownership of 29 of the seized horses.
"Of the two animals that she did not give up ownership, one was reportedly being boarded at the property and the other she stated she had an emotional attachment to."
There were a total of 116 horses on the property when deputies arrived to serve the search warrant on Thursday.
"The animals were living on approximately 12 acres, three of which were occupied by buildings. Every horse was inspected by either a veterinarian or a person certified to examine horses in suspected neglect cases," Mueller said.
Neighbors concerned about horses in Herring's care over the past three years reportedly made several complaints, but Mueller says she had moved several times between ranches and to other jurisdictions, making it difficult for investigators to obtain a search warrant.
"Since she moved to the Mill City property last August, the Sheriff's Office had received several complaints about the condition of the horses there."
Mueller says Thursday's horse rescue was one of the largest in Linn County.
Twelve deputies from the Sheriff's Office were on site along with about 30 members of Linn County Animal Rescue, two veterinarians and two members of the Humane Society of the United States.
The case remains under investigation and additional charges may be filed.
Linn Deputies Seize 31 Neglected HorsesSalem-News.com