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Case ID: 15633
Classification: Neglect / Abandonment
Animal: horse, bird (pet), goat
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More than sixty animals seized from ranch
Salem, OR (US)

Incident Date: Saturday, Jul 11, 2009
County: Marion

Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 2 files available

Alleged:
» Kristina N. Early
» Natalia Mikkola

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Marion County authorities and the Willamette Humane Society have removed more than 60 animals from a rural Salem woman's home, including horses and goats.

Humane Society officials said it was one of the largest cases of animal cruelty and neglect in the Salem area in recent history.

Marion County Sheriff's officials said the 63 animals seized Saturday from a home in the 6800 block of Skyline Road South included more than 40 horses, four goats and two parrots. Authorities say 26-year-old Kristina N. Early was arrested Saturday on charges of animal neglect, interfering with a peace officer and tampering with evidence. She operates the Early Rise Ranch, which boarded, trained and bred horses, and boarded and trained dogs.

Early had surrendered some animals when sheriff's Deputy Cliff Self responded to her home Friday to a report of possible animal neglect. But when officials returned the next day, authorities say she had moved at least 17 horses in an attempt to hide them.

The Humane Society said most of the animals were found in poor shape and without access to food or clean drinking water. Many of the horses were found severely emaciated and some had significant injuries, including one that had a fractured leg, the Humane Society said.

The Humane Society has placed most of the animals in volunteer foster homes throughout the mid-valley but could still use donations of quality hay and grain for feed. Anyone interested in making a donation for the care of the animals can call the group's humane investigator at (503) 585-5900, ext. 334, or e-mail [email protected]. You can also give money on

Case Updates

A Salem woman is facing additional charges after authorities seized dozens of horses, dogs and other animals from a rural South Salem ranch earlier this month.

On Monday, Marion County authorities recovered one more horse in an extensive animal neglect investigation involving Kristina N. Early, 26, who is accused of keeping at least 40 horses and an assortment of other animals in poor care.

The investigation began July 10 when Marion County sheriff's deputies and the Willamette Humane Society looked into a complaint of possible animal neglect in the 6800 block of Skyline Road S, sheriff's spokeswoman Lt. Sheila Lorance said.

At the time, Early voluntarily surrendered some of the animals. But when investigators returned the next day, it appeared at least 17 horses were moved elsewhere. Five to 10 horses still are unaccounted for, Lorance said.

At least 29 horses, 12 dogs, five cats, four pygmy goats, two parrots and a rabbit were seized from Early Rise Ranch and taken into protective custody by Willamette Humane Society, spokeswoman Kara Kuh said.

Investigators also found that Early allegedly sold a horse that belonged to someone else without the owner's knowledge, Lorance said.

Early had sold a horse to someone who paid to keep the horse boarded on Early's property.

The new owner was told by Early in May that the horse became ill and needed medical attention. Then Early told the owners that the horse had died and sent them a veterinarian's bill, which the owners paid.

Investigators found that the horse instead was sold again for $5,000 to a buyer in Virginia. A tracking device confirmed that it was the same horse.

Early now faces charges of first-degree theft and conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence, as well as 35 counts each of first- and second-degree animal neglect.

On Monday, deputies arrested an Aumsville woman connected to the case, Lorance said.

A woman claiming to be the legal owner of some of the seized horses contacted the humane society several times since the initial arrest, but authorities determined that the woman instead helped Early move some of the horses.

A sick stallion that investigators determined was moved from the property July 10 also was found at the Aumsville residence, Lorance said.

Natalia Mikkola, 23, of Aumsville faces charges that include tampering with evidence and first-degree animal neglect.

Most of the horses were found severely underweight, malnourished and required medical care, including one foal that had a fractured leg, Kuh said.

All of the horses and the two parrots are in foster homes, Kuh said. Some of the dogs were placed with rescue organizations.

The dogs and cats were found malnourished, and some tested positive for intestinal diseases.

Fifteen of the animals were released to the humane society.
Source: Statesman Journal - May 20, 2009
Update posted on Jul 22, 2009 - 9:37AM 

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