Calif. Man Jailed, Released In Powell Butte Horse Neglect Case

The man at the center of a major horse neglect investigation turned himself in to the Crook County Jail Tuesday morning, but was released after a court appearance. Meanwhile, twomore horses were seized from a Powell Butte ranch authorities say he owns.

Robert Gruntz, 64, of Hemet, California, surrendered to officials Tuesday morning after the Crook County Sheriff’s Office put out a warrant for his arrest.

At his arraignment later in the day, Judge Gary Williams granted him conditional release from jail, with some strings attached.

Gruntz was ordered to have no contact with the horses at the Powell Butte ranch, where 14 neglected horses were seized in late March. He’s alsonot allowed to assume care, custody or control of the animals, nor is allowed to direct anyone else in that regard.

Gruntz was in court recently amid the legal battle for ownership of the seized horses. But on Tuesday,he appeared by video link from the county jail.

Gruntz’s company, Arlington Farms, is at the center of a major investigation involving 81 sick or starving horses at the Powell Butte property, plus 40 neglected thoroughbreds at a Bloomington, Calif. ranch.

“Mr. Gruntz needs to be out of any decisions regarding those horses,” District Attorney Daina Vitolins told Judge Williams.

“I say this in light of the fact Friday, last Friday, we had to seize an additional two horses from the ranch, because the defendant, Gruntz, would not authorize veterinary care for them.”

More than 60 horses remain at the Powell Butte property. In court Tuesday, Gruntz argued there was other business at the ranch he needed to attend to, separate from the animals.

“I’m just not sure whether I’ll be allowed to advise on that, your honor,” Gruntztold the judge.

Williams did grant him conditional release. While he is allowed to return to the property, he can’t have any contact with any of the horses, or witnesses called by the state.

“The reason for that, your honor, is after the forfeiture hearing, Mr. Gruntz contacted Cinder Rock Veterinary Clinic,” Vitolins explained. “He basically threatened them and otherwise harassed them. So I think that’s an important part of the conditional release.”

The sheriff’s office says this is just one step in a much larger picture, which includes investigations under way by the FBI and IRS into allegations of tax evasion and possible fraud.

“We’re still going to be doing interviews, collecting information, and there may be more arrests pending in the future,” said Det. Sgt. Travis Jurgens.

Sonow,Gruntz is out of jail, denies any wrongdoing, and plans to return to California in the next day or two.

Gruntz is charged with 11 counts of animal neglect (two counts first-degree, nine counts second-degree), plus one count of criminal forfeiture, and is expected to appear by phone at his next court date, which is set for July 14 in Prineville.

Four ranch workers were arrested previously on similar charges, leading to a hearing that concluded with a judge ordering Gruntz to post $50,000 bond to pay for the horses’ care or lose them to the county.

The bond was not posted by last Wednesday’s deadline, and sheriff’s officials are working on plans to find suitable new homes for the former racehorses, which have been housed at the county fairgrounds. Another 60-plus horses remain at the ranch, and the costs for their care are mounting.

Gruntz recently wrote to local media, denying any wrongdoing and claiming Crook County officials had violated state regulations in their seizure and treatment of the horses.