Neglected horses up for adoption

This is a press release courtesy of the Oregon Humane Society

A pair of neglected, starving horses has been handed over to the Oregon Humane Society while authorities continue their search for an absentee owner with an outstanding arrest warrant for animal neglect.

OHS investigators are seeking information on the whereabouts of Shellie Ann Anderson, 39, of Beavercreek, Ore., who faces charges of animal neglect. The two horses, 26-year-old Lady and her four-year-old offspring, Duran, were seized from Anderson’s residence at 2214 S. Evergreen Dr. in Beavercreek on Feb. 16. The two horses were severely underweight, one by as much as 250 lbs., and were the subject of numerous citizen complaints and a subsequent investigation by OHS.

“Yesterday’s court order clears the final hurdle for OHS to find permanent homes for these neglected animals,” said OHS Lead Humane Investigator Mark Wells. “In the meantime, we’re asking the public for information about Anderson, who is charged with a serious crime and who has failed to respond to all requests to appear in court.”  Animal neglect is punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 and six months in jail for each violation.

After a search warrant was served on Anderson’s residence and the horses seized as evidence, they were placed in the care of the OHS Livestock Rescue Network, a group that came together in response to a string of prominent horse neglect and abuses cases in 2006. The group offers their pastures and stables for neglected horses, while the cost of food and medical care is paid for by OHS. The horses have returned to a healthy weight since they were relocated and are well on the way to a full recovery  (see photos below). 

OHS, thanks to the order issued late yesterday by the Clackamas County Circuit Court, will now seek to find permanent homes for the horses.

Several worthy candidates have already come forward to adopt the animals. “Local horse owners have been very supportive of our work, and we couldn’t pursue cases like this without knowing we had a network such as this in place,” said Wells. OHS, located in Northeast Portland, does not have the facility to care for horses.

OHS worked closely with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s office on the case, which assisted in serving the warrant on Anderson’s resident, transporting the animals, and attempting to locate Anderson.

OHS Humane Investigators are commissioned by the Governor of Oregon with the authority to enforce animal cruelty laws throughout the state. Last year, OHS investigated 850 cruelty complaints and seized or removed from premises 310 animals. Their work is supported entirely through private donations to OHS.  

If the public has information on Anderson’s whereabouts, they are urged to contact Oregon Humane Society investigators at (503) 285-7722, ext. 214. 

To support the work of OHS through volunteering or donations, visit the OHS Website at www.oregonhumane.org or call (503) 285-7722.