Marion County couple charged with animal neglect
SILVERTON, Ore. — A horse named Banjo has been put up for adoption, and two people have been charged in Marion County with animal neglect.
Authorities say two dogs, Rudy and Sammy, had to be euthanized after deputies began an investigation in December at a rural property near Silverton. Deputies say the dogs were aged and weak, and their muscles had deteriorated.
Deputies said they also learned a second horse on the property had died just before they began their investigation.
Banjo was turned over to United SPCA in Yamhill and is reported doing better after a month of rehabilitation. Metal staples and glass shards were removed from his hooves and mane.
Officers said the charges were filed Saturday against 43-year-old Carol Rae Epping and 40-year-old Heath Christopher Epping.
Carol Epping told deputies that she had separated from her husband and she felt the animals that once belonged to both of them now belonged to him.
After their split she assumed the animals were his responsibility...hope they don't have kids!
Somebody euthanize the poor animals and put them out of their misery. If you donât know, I am talking about the two people.
Why do people need to own more than one or two animals? I mean, I'm not trying to ban pet ownership, I just think there ought to be -reasonable- restrictions to the number of animals somebody can own, and there should be registration and background checks for all animal owners.Because, hey, if it saves JUST ONE LIFE, don't we owe it to the pets?
I look in their eyes and they ask "What could I have possibly done to deserve this treatment?" Nothing! I am so sorry Rudy & Sammy you had to suffer. I hope Banjo makes a full recovery and finds a loving home. As for the evil humans....well, I try not to be too hateful but towards humans who will allow animals (or children) to suffer I can only hope the rest of your life is pathetic and miserable. I have other feelings about them but prefer to not put it in writing.
@leapfrogger I made the mistake of looking at the pictures before reading the article. Those poor, sad doggy eyes just want to love and be loved. I can't believe people can treat completely helpless and reliant animals like this. Hopefully they have full dog bowls and tons of meadows to run through in 'doggie hevan'.