Thirty horses, cattle rescued in Terrebonne raid

Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies seized 30 horses and cattle, most showing varying degrees of animal neglect, in a raid on a Terrebonne property Thursday afternoon.

The sheriff’s office received a complaint of animal neglect Wednesday from the owner of the property at 6800 N. Hwy. 97 after seeing the animals’ conditions, said Capt. Shane Nelson, adding that the land owner leases the property to the livestock owner.

The sheriff’s office sought and received a search warrant, which was executed around 3 p.m. Thursday, resulting in the seizure of 11 horses and 19 head of cattle, five of which are calves, Nelson said.

No one was identified as living on the property at the time of the raid, Nelson said.

The owner of the animals reportedly is in jail in California, authorities said.

No arrests have been made at this time, he said, and the investigation is continuing.

“The animals had no food or water,” Nelson said at the scene. “Based on the condition of these animals, charges will be filed.”

The sheriff’s office mounted posse assisted in loading the livestock into several trucks and trailers. They were transported to the agency’s Large Animal Rescue and Shelter in Bend, where Nelson said they will be provided food, water and veterinary care.

Any veterinary recommendations for the animals’ welfare will be followed, Nelson said.