Charges filed in both raids; 'They are skeletons with skin,' vet says

By Jennifer Burns, KTVZ.COM

It was a horrific scene as officials from the Humane Society of the United States took 40 horses and 35 cattle from a Harney County ranch.

They found 60 horses and 20 cattle carcasses scattered on the property last week and some thrown into a pit.

Humane officials said they were literally left to starve to death by the two owners, who now face animal neglect charges.

Veterinarian Danielle Huff, with Cinder Rock Veterinary Clinic in Redmond, was called out on a different case Saturday, where a Powell Butte rancher faces animal neglect charges.

She picked through 90 horses on the property to see which ones needed the most attention, after officials already had given the owners a warning.

Crook County sheriff's Commander Brandon Smith said, "This is where we are ending up - they haven't voluntarily complied."

The Crook County Sheriff's Office took in 11 emaciated horses in this case.

"Especially with lice and winter, I'm pretty impressed they survived," Huff said.

Many of the horses in both cases are disgustingly thin, with protruding bones.

"They are skeletons with skin," Huff said.

Doctors found they were dealing with more than just starving animals. The horses are injured, have rotting teeth, over grown hooves, and lice.

"It'll take a lot of time and months to recover," Huff said.

With the proper care, officials believe all the animals from both rescues will survive.

The horses and cattle in each case are in the care of Crook and Harney counties.

Both sheriff's departments are responsible for covering the expenses of the animals when they make a rescue.

County officials say if you are interested in helping, you can make a donation to the sheriff's office (Crook - (541) 447-6398; Harney - (541) 573-6156) and ask that the money go toward the rescued animals' care and feeding.