‘A heartbreaking story’: Bend-area rancher who gave up 15 badly neglected horses sentenced to probation, work service

(Update: Details of sentencing)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A rancher east of Bend who has cared for animals for decades and was a former member of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Posse offered no excuses for letting 15 now-surrendered horses suffer from neglect at her sentencing Tuesday. But she did explain how she’d depended on her now-ex-husband’s assurances he’d take care of them and expressed gratitude they are now being cared for properly.

Under a plea agreement, Jean Poirier, 66, was sentenced by Circuit Judge Beth Bagley to the recommendation by attorneys of five years’ probation, 100 hours of community work service and thousands of dollars in restitution for the horses care since April’s seizure and transport to the sheriff’s office Rescue Ranch.

She’s allowed to keep the dogs she has in a breeding operation, though the sheriff’s office can visit at any time to assure they are well cared-for; her attorney said the kennels appear “impeccable."

Poirier and her attorney, Aaron Bishow, told of how her ex-husband, now living in Texas, not only brought inadequate quality hay for the horses, he forbid her from letting others onto the property.

Bishow said, “She's had a very long history of taking very good care of animals. It’s a heartbreaking story.” And Poirier, who has experienced health issues, expressed relief and gratitude for those who stepped in to give the horses the care they need.

“I’m sorry,” Poirier told the judge. “I can’t believe I was so intimidated and manipulated by my ex-husband. I realize I should have reached out and gotten help for them. I’m very grateful they are being cared for now.”

Deputy District Attorney Rosalie Beaumont said the horses were in bad shape when law enforcement learned about the neglect in early March, “some severely underweight,” with overgrown hooves and dental issues, being fed inadequate hay that was intended for cows and provided water that had turned to ice.

“They were sometimes covered with snow, without blankets,” she said.

There were two prior reports of neglect, in 2012 and 2017, when Poirier and her husband had even more horses, close to hundreds, and each time they promised improvements and no action was taken, Beaumont said.

A statement was read into the record from county Animal Control Technician Mariya Leufven, who spoke of the “profound impact” on the 15 horses who suffered long-term, subjected to very poor conditions, “for many years denied basic necessities” and suffering pain, discomfort and malnutrition.

A horse named Colored Outside the Lines, who was renamed Trixie after seizure, was so weak, she would lay on the ground and defecate herself. Since the seizure, the underweight horse has been fed a special mash and is regaining strength, though a vet said the road to recovery will be not months, but years.

Leufven also spoke of the “immense” time and resources by the Rescue Ranch and community to care for the horses, as well as emotional burden on those caring the horses back to better help ,and expressed thanks for community support.

Bishow noted that Poirier’s doctor diagnosed health issues and was “demanding of her that she discontinue work with horses,” and that her now-ex-husband said, “'Don’t worry about it, I will take care of the horses and property.' She was assured he was doing so. Clearly, he was not.”

While Poirier is taking responsibility, Bishow noted “she felt scared allowing others on the property because of her ex-husband’s demands.”

Bagley told Poirier she was “a little unclear what was happening that you didn’t feel you could reach out?”

She replied about how her ex-husband seven years ago “drove off into a trail of becoming state and national citizens - not pay car registration, not doing anything” and told her “don’t let anybody on the property,” buying and dropping off some hay between tours across the country: “On YouTube, he does scary stuff,” she said.

When it came time to impose sentence, Bagley told the woman, “This is incredibly sad. I’m going to tell you things you already know, but you need to hear. Animals rely on their caretakers. They can’t call for help. … They are helpless. They are relying on you. It’s tragic that they suffered for so long."

While Poirier explained how it came to pass, “who or why doesn’t change that they suffered,” the judge said, pointing to the “only bright spot” – that the horses will be adopted out to more caring owners, and are getting better.

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Earlier story:

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A rancher east of Bend who surrendered 15 allegedly neglected horses to Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies in April faced one felony and 15 misdemeanor charges. But she has now agreed to an amended plea deal for an expected sentence of five years’ probation, 100 hours of community service and a ban on possessing horses or other farm animals.

In a court filing signed last Wednesday, two days before her scheduled plea hearing, Jean Alma Poirier, 66, had agreed to plead guilty to the felony count of second-degree animal neglect, reduced to a Class A misdemeanor.

Poirier admitted that in early March, she “did unlawfully and recklessly fail to provide minimum care for an animal, to-wit: horses … and the offense was part of a criminal episode involving 11 or more animals.” That single misdemeanor count could have brought a sentence of up to 364 days in jail and/or a $6,250 fine, she noted.

Waiving her right to a trial before a jury or judge, Poirier's plea agreement said prosecutors have agreed to recommend to the judge that she receive five years’ probation, along with requirements to complete 100 hours of community work service within two years and not possess any horses or other farm animals.

Poirier also agreed to “allow periodic check-ins by law enforcement to confirm health of any domestic animals on premises” and to pay restitution to DCSO for the feed, care, veterinarian care and boarding of the horses.

Under the original plea petition, counts 2-8 of the indictment would have been discharged and the remaining counts dismissed.

Circuit Judge Raymond Crutchley took up the matter Friday morning, but Poirier's attorney, Aaron Bishow, asked for a short delay due to a "misunderstanding or miscommunication" with prosecutors that means the plea agreement needs to be amended. The plea hearing and sentencing was rescheduled for Tuesday morning.

In the amended petition, filed Monday, Poirier agreed to plead guilty to eight counts of second-degree animal neglect, naming eight specific horses that she admitted she "did unlawfully and recklessly fail to provide minimum care" for.

Again, counts 2-8 would be discharged, and the sentence recommendations to the court, including five years probation and no possession of horse or farm animals, remain the same.

Sheriff’s Lt. Bryan Husband said in April that Poirier cooperated with an month-long investigation that determined horses on the 9.3 -acre property “were in dire need of intervention, namely additional veterinarian care, hoof care and proper feed.”

Seventeen dogs also on the property were examined as well and were found to be in better condition, so she was allowed to retain the dogs, based on her continued cooperation.

Poirier surrendered ownership of the 15 horses, 13 to 29 years old, which were seized and taken to the DCSO Rescue Ranch in southeast Bend. They have since received special care, including for their teeth and hooves.