Ranch owner east of Bend surrenders 15 horses seized by DCSO, faces 16 charges in animal neglect case

(Adding video, horses adoptable in 1-3 months)

Jean Poirier cooperated in investigation, arraigned on one felony, 15 misdemeanor counts

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A more than month-long animal neglect investigation at a ranch east of Bend led to the seizure of 15 surrendered horses and felony and misdemeanor animal neglect charges against the owner, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said Wednesday. The recovering animals are being cared for at the sheriff’s office Rescue Ranch.

Sheriff’s Office Animal Control technicians received information on March 6 related to potential animal neglect at a property belonging to Jean Poirier, 66, in the 61000 block of Groff Road, north of Rickard Road, Lieutenant Bryan Husband said.

Poirier was contacted and cooperated with an ensuing investigation over several days, which included veterinarian examinations of 15 horses and 17 dogs.

During the investigation, deputies determined the horses on the 9.3-acre property “were in dire need of intervention, namely additional veterinarian care, hoof care and proper feed,” Husband said in a news release, accompanied by several photos that showed overgrown hooves.

Poirier surrendered ownership of the 15 horses on March 15, and with the assistance of several DCSO Posse members, deputies and animal control technicians removed the horses and brought them to the agency’s Rescue Ranch in southeast Bend.

The horses are 13 to 29 years old and consist of a stallion, four geldings and 10 mares.

Husband said the 17 dogs at the ranch “were in better condition than the horses and were allowed to remain with Poirier, based upon her continued cooperation.”

Due to that cooperation, Poirier was cited and released on 15 misdemeanor counts of second-degree animal neglect. The district attorney’s office later reviewed the case and added one felony count of second-degree animal neglect. Husband noted that the charge can be a felony if 11 or more animals are involved.

A grand jury indicted Poirier on Monday and she was arraigned Tuesday on the charges, with a plea hearing set for May 31, court records showed.

Husband said the woman has been a dog breeder for several years, and the horses remained from a previous breeding operation she had with her husband.

The seized horses are receiving veterinarian and farrier care and appropriate feed, Husband said, “and are already showing signs of improvement” at the 23-yacre Sheriff’s Office Rescue Ranch, a rehabilitation center for neglected, abandoned and abused livestock.

However, Husband added, "We are monitoring a couple of the horses who may need to be put down, unfortunately." However, he said most should be adoptable in one to three months.

Husband said the sheriff's office also wanted to thank an anonymous donor for 26 tons of hay to feed the horses. Donations help the neglected animals recover while under the DCSO's protection, and they usually have numerous animals available for adoption .

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