Crook Co. SO Struggling with Horse Cases

The Crook County Sheriff’s Office already is taking care of 54 horses seized in a Powell Butte neglect case in January.

This week, a Prineville man was arrested and faces 24 horse neglect charges. That could mean over 75 horses would be in the hands of the sheriff’s office.

Officials told NewsChannel 21 Wednesday they’re going to closely monitor the horses and will do what they can to take care of the animals, despite limited resources.

William “Bill” Nichols, 71, faces 24 horse neglect charges.

The sheriff’s office says it’s dealt with Nichols many times before. He also was arrested in 2009 for two horses that were malnourished and neglected.

“He’s an older gentleman (who) doesn’t have the income to sustain that many animals,” sheriff’s Sgt. James Savage said. “He’s tried to work with us, provide what he can but it’s exhausting what he can do.”

Sheriff’s office deputies have been watching the horses closely on Nichols property off O’Neill Highway.

“I think Bill knows what it takes to maintain the horses at a minimum care,” said Det. Theresa Plinski, who’s been working the case.

“He just doesn’t have the means to take care of the horses that he has, and he continues to acquire more on a regular basis,” Plinski said.

If it comes to that point, the sheriff’s office may have to care for them, but that’s something it can’t see doing just yet.

“Right now, it’s beyond our capabilities to take on those horses,” Savage said.

They’re already caring for 54 alleged malnourished horses seized in January from a Powell Butte ranch.

But who would neglect their horses?

“It’s people, you know, when they are having a hard time feeding themselves and their kids, they don’t have the resources,” Savage said.

Both the detective and sergeant say the economy hasn’t helped.

“They’ve acquired these horses when they had full-time jobs, and now they’ve either lost their job or their job is diminished,” Plinski said.

The sheriff’s office says the community has helped bring the Powell Butte horses back to health, but the need is as strong as ever.

“Anything we can have definitely helps especially if we are going to get into a situation where we are going to have to start feeding these other 24 head of horses,” Plinski said.

The sheriff’s office doesn’t have a timeframe for the Powell Butte case. The detective told NewsChannel 21 they’ll at least have the horses until April 9.

They also encourage those who find themselves no longer able to care for their animals to find someone or group that can, for both their and the animals’ sakes.