34 horses seized, owners face animal neglect charges

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Sheriff’s deputies seized 34 horses from a residence outside Lebanon and the owners are facing criminal animal neglect charges.

The Statesman Journal reports the Linn County Sheriff’s Office took the horses from the residence of Carol and Edward Davidson this week.

Animal control personnel had been working with them since December following complaints that the horses were standing in mud.

In January, sheriff’s Deputy Corey Putney drove by the residence and saw a dead horse whose corpse wasn’t disposed of properly and also saw horses that were beginning to look unwell.

As a search warrant was being executed, the sheriff’s office says Carol Davidson experienced a medical problem and was taken to a hospital. Edward Davidson was not present. Criminal charges are pending.

The horses were taken by Sound Equine Options of Gresham to its facility for evaluation and veterinary care.