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Case ID: 13992

Classification: Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: horse, cow

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Attorneys/Judges

Prosecutor(s):

Cole Chase

CONVICTED: Was justice served?

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Case #13992

Farmed animal neglect
Klamath Falls, OR (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Jun 30, 2008
County: Klamath

Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: Leta Johnson

Case Updates: 3 update(s) available

An 80-year-old woman accused of neglecting her livestock and horses has been jailed in Klamath County.

Authorities say they've been working with Leta Johnson for more than a year but found about half her animals in poor condition this week.

She has about 200 sheep, 55 horses and 12 head of cattle on her property. She says she's been sick and her hired hand hasn't been doing a good job.

District Attorney Ed Caleb says law enforcement officials didn't want to put Johnson in jail but it was unacceptable to see the animals neglected. Her bail is $100,000.

Investigators came first came on neglected animals at her place when they investigated the shooting death of a ranch hand in April 2007. That case remains unsolved.

Case Updates

An 80-year-old woman was found dead in her home Thursday - the same day she pleaded guilty to animal neglect.

Sheriff Tim Evinger says Leta May Johnson's death is thought to be from natural causes and did not appear to be suspicious.

Johnson was arrested more than a year ago and charged with neglecting to feed her horses, sheep and cattle.

She was given a deferred sentence after her plea that would have kept the conviction off her record if she followed the rules of her five-year probation.

The Klamath County Humane Society and local veterinarians rescued 200 sheep and 55 horses, many of which have been adopted.

Source: Seattle Times - Oct 10, 2008
Update posted on Oct 11, 2008 - 12:58AM

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Authorities say it's the worst case of animal neglect Klamath County has seen in 15 years as they rescue hundreds of malnourished animals from an elderly woman. Two hundred sheep and 55 horses were taken from the woman's property because authorities say she neglected them.

At 80-years-old, Leta Johnson already spent two days in jail last June and faces several counts of animal neglect which could land her many years behind bars.

But the Klamath County District Attorney's Office says they're not after jail time. They say their major victory came Friday when the last of the animals were removed from Johnson's property.

The DA's Office says the animals only got as much food in a week as they should have been fed every day. Once they stripped the property of vegetation some of those with enough strength jumped the fence for greener pastures, prompting complaints from neighbors.

The DA's Office says the animals were literally starving to death.

"We're talking 200 sheep that were dying daily from starvation, says Deputy District Attorney Cole Chase. "And all of the horses were in various stages of needing medical care."

Some cattle remain on the property. Once removed, the surviving sheep were sold at auction. The horses are being rehabilitated on foster ranches. Eventually the humane society will be looking to find good homes for them.

Chase says the DA's Office has received criticism for what some say is bullying an elderly woman. But chase says they take animal neglect seriously. He says they now want Johnson to pay the thousands of dollars the Humane Society has spent trying to save the animals.

Chase says Johnson had the skill, experience and money to care for the animals but they couldn't convince her to do it before the action was taken. Johnson could not be reached for comment.

Source: KTVL - Aug 26, 2008
Update posted on Aug 26, 2008 - 11:01PM

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An 80-year-old Klamath County woman released from jail last week on the condition she feed her farm animals will stand trial next month because authorities say she has not complied.

Leta Johnson faces 10 counts of animal neglect, a charge that dates to April 2007. She was re-arrested last week, when authorities said they found many of her 200 sheep, 55 horses and 12 cattle malnourished during a site visit.

A judge let her out of jail on the condition she buy food and feed the animals. But the district attorney's office said Tuesday that the animals have only been fed with food donated through the Humane Society, and the office has been unable to contact Johnson.

Deputy district attorney Cole Chase said the office has been negotiating with Johnson for more than a year because it doesn't want to turn the situation into a criminal matter.

He said her inaction leaves no choice.

Source: KTVZ - July 2, 2008
Update posted on Jul 2, 2008 - 3:37PM

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Farmed animal neglectKlamath Falls, OR (US)

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Farmed animal neglect
Klamath Falls, OR (US)