Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: 2 horses dead, 10 more seized

2 horses dead, 10 more seized
Carlton, OR (US)

Incident Date: Saturday, Feb 25, 2006
County: Yamhill
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 1 files available

Abusers/Suspects:
» Robert Louis Greiner
» Barbara Katherine Greiner

Case Updates: 3 update(s) available

Case ID: 7490

Classification: Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: horse

View more cases in OR (US)

Two horses are dead and 10 others were taken from their owner amid an investigation into alleged animal neglect at a home in Carlton. The owner of the horses, 64-year-old Robert Louis Greiner, faces animal neglect and abuse charges in the case and is scheduled to appear in court on March 7, 2006.

Clinton French used to own the property across the street from Greiner and says the horses did not appear to be well cared for. "What I watched them bring in was just garbage hay," he said. "They didn't take care of them at all." Authorities had been working with Greiner for some time, trying to get him to improve the conditions for his animals. However, as with many horse neglect cases, it comes down to economics when the cost of care simply overwhelms owners.

Case Updates

A Carlton woman, accused with her husband earlier this year of neglecting 12 horses on their Hendricks Road farm, was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty to two counts of first-degree animal neglect. Judge Cal Tichenor ordered Barbara Katherine Greiner to spend 45 days in jail, three years on probation, 150 hours performing community service work and $768 covering fines and fees. The verdict and sentencing stemmed from a plea agreement under which 10 counts of second-degree animal neglect were dropped.

Source: News Register - April 22, 2006
Update posted on Apr 23, 2006 - 8:33PM

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A Carlton man who wrapped a chain around the legs of a fallen horse and dragged the dying animal across a field behind a tractor has been sentenced to four days in jail.

But Yamhill County Deputy District Attorney Meuy Chao says she will file a motion for reconsideration. Chao says Robert Greiner, 64, should get 45 days behind bars.

Judge Cal Tichenor also sentenced Greiner to 200 hours of community service, ordered him to pay the veterinarian bills of his remaining horses and barred him from any contact with pets for five years. Greiner pleaded guilty to two counts of animal neglect.

Ten lesser counts were dismissed. "I was just trying to help the horse the best I knew how," he told Tichenor.

Chao, who handled the plea negotiations, had planned to make a case for the longer sentence. But she had a trial under way, so had to hand the sentencing off to fellow prosecutor Will Lathrop.

He lacked immediate access to the photographs and other evidence to support the stiffer sentence she had in mind.

Greiner was cited in February, along with his wife, Barbara, after a neighbor spotted Greiner dragging the flailing horse across a pasture.

When authorities arrived, they found the animal lying on its side with a rope tied around its abdomen. Blood was oozing from its nose and mouth and flesh had been scraped from its flanks and front legs.

Greiner told deputies he came home to find the horse had collapsed. He said he had dragged the horse across the pasture to a tree and tied a rope around its stomach in hopes he could hoist it to its feet again from a tree limb.

Weak and malnourished, the horse had to be euthanized. Nine other horses were in various stages of starvation. Many had open sores and some had to be put down.

Greiner's attorney, Geordie Duckler of Portland, said his client was in a difficult situation. "These were his wife's horses," Duckler said. "He was battling with not having much money to care for the horses and a wife not willing to give up the horses." Barbara Greiner, has a May 11 court date.

Source: The Oregonian - April 15, 2006
Update posted on Apr 17, 2006 - 9:43AM

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A Carlton husband and wife were arraigned March 7, 2006 in Yamhill County Circuit Court on animal neglect charges, stemming from discovery of 10 starving horses, a dead horse and a dying horse Feb. 25, 2006 on their farm east of Carlton. Robert Louis Greiner, 64, and Barbara Katherine Greiner, 60, 11415 N.E. Hendricks Road, each were charged with two counts of first-degree animal neglect and 10 counts of second-degree animal neglect.

First-degree animal neglect is a Class A misdemeanor that carries up to a fine of $2,500 and one year in jail. Second-degree animal neglect is a Class B misdemeanor that carries up to a fine of $1,000 and six months in jail.

Robert Greiner plans to plead guilty and undergo sentencing at 9:30 a.m. Friday, April 14, 2006, officials said. Portland attorney Geordie Duckler, who specializes in animal abuse and neglect cases, is representing him. His wife told Judge Cal Tichenor she can't afford an attorney. He scheduled a pretrial conference in her case for 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 6, 2006. The Greiners are not in custody. But Tichenor ordered the couple to have no contact with animals of any kind, including livestock, on the recommendation of Pretrial Release Officer Jim VanArsdel.

The 10 surviving horses were removed from the Greiners' property after neighbors reported alleged mistreatment to the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office. An 11th horse died several weeks ago. A 12th, which a neighbor reported seeing dragged behind a tractor while still alive, had to be euthanized. The horses seized from the property, including a 9-month-old filly, are in the custody of the Oregon Humane Society. They have been placed temporarily with Carl and Linda Lewis of Molalla, who are nursing them back to health. "They are doing well," Linda Lewis said. "They're perking up and eating well. They don't run from us any more. We can hand feed them carrots. I think they are all going to recover." The Lewises have adopted two of the horses, a mare they named Tina, and a foal of hers they named Tiny. Linda Lewis said Tina is putting on weight, but faces an extensive recovery ordeal. Tiny is becoming more trusting, she said, but also faces an extended recovery. "There has been a good outpouring of interest in adopting all of the horses," she said. "The Humane Society is leaving the adoption process up to us. "People have contacted us, and we have contacted people who have put the word out. We have adopted the two, and we have adoption commitments for four others." The Humane Society and the Lewises will carefully screen people who want to adopt the horses. They want to place them with people who will commit themselves to providing quality care. "These people need to be equipped to deal with the special needs of these horses," Linda Lewis said.

Source: News Register - March 9, 2006
Update posted on Mar 13, 2006 - 8:42PM

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References

	KATU News - February 27, 2006
	Oregon Live - March 3, 2006
	The Oregonian - March 1, 2006

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2 horses dead, 10 more seizedCarlton, OR (US)

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2 horses dead, 10 more seized
Carlton, OR (US)