CARLTON, Ore. — The owner of a horse farm southwest of Portland is facing a felony charge for animal neglect, after investigators found nearly 50 horses there were not being given adequate food or water.
Susan Swango, 82, faces one count of second-degree animal neglect, which is a felony because of how many animals she had, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
She is scheduled to appear in court in March. The Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office said earlier this month they got a report that Silver Oaks Saddlebred, a farm in rural Carlton, had its water turned off for not paying bills.
The sheriff’s office said Swango had been the subject of previous animal neglect complaints.
The sheriff’s office served Swango with a warrant on Feb. 19, and at that time found that the horses did not have enough food and water, and were in concerning physical condition. They said Swango was getting water for the horses from a nearby creek, but it was not enough.
The sheriff’s office said they arranged for a donation of 2 tons of alfalfa hay to the farm. Swango accepted that donation, but turned down a donation of 1,000 gallons of water, the sheriff’s office said.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the sheriff’s office, along with the Oregon Humane Society, served Swango a search warrant and all 48 horses were taken from the property. The Oregon Humane Society also took seven cats.
It wasn’t immediately clear if Swango has a lawyer.
