SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- Additional charges have been added and another arrest has been made in a Salem animal abuse investigation after authorities seized dozens of horses, dogs and other animals earlier this month from a rural ranch.
Marion County Sheriff's Lt. Sheila Lorance says investigators have now learned that the suspect, 26-year-old Kristina Early, also sold a horse that belonged to someone else without the owner's knowledge. Besides animal neglect, Early is now charged with theft and conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence.
Also this week, deputies arrested 23-year-old Natalia Mikkola of Aumsville on tampering and animal neglect charges, saying she helped Early move some of the horses before authorities could seize them..." More & video
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 breeded 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... More
