Horse neglected
Scio, OR (US)Incident Date: Friday, Jul 7, 2006
County: Linn
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Paul Robert Toews
Deputies with the Linn County Sheriff's Office removed a horse on July 7 from property in the 37000 block of Richardson Gap Road and arrested the owner for neglect.
The animal, a quarter horse named Coffee, was approximately 30 years old. Sgt. James Welch said Coffee was suffering from starvation and has been taken to an animal foster home.
Owner Paul Robert Toews, 60, of Scio was charged with second-degree animal neglect. He was cited to appear Aug. 16 in Linn Circuit Court.
A second horse on the property, of approximately the same age, did not appear to be neglected and was allowed to remain in Toews' ownership, Welch said.
Numerous passers-by had noticed Coffee and called the sheriff's office to ask for an investigation.
Welch said this is the first case of criminal horse neglect to be dealt with by the sheriff's Livestock Abuse Investigation Team. Sheriff Tim Mueller created the team in March to help assess the condition of animals reported to be neglected or abused in Linn County.
"This is the first horse seizure with this new program," Welch said.
The team depends on deputies and volunteers. It is developing criteria for soliciting and approving foster homes.
People who believe an animal is being neglected are encouraged to call the Linn County Sheriff's Office at 967-3950. References« OR State Animal Cruelty Map
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