Page 11 – NW Horse Report

Arrest Warrant issued for former VP of Oregon horse rescue after probation violation for possessing horses at secret property in Washington

NW Horse Report Staff

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January 23, 2023

Arrest Warrant issued for former VP of Oregon horse rescue after probation violation for possessing horses at secret property in Washington

Tania Herring pictured during her trial for neglect and abuse of several horses in Jefferson County. (Photo Credit – NW Horse Report)

Madras, Ore. – An woman convicted last year of animal neglect in connection with horses in Jefferson County, Oregon has warrant issued for her arrest for violation of her probation. Tania Lynne Herring, 43, is alleged by State prosecutors of violating her probation after discoveries made by NW Horse Report led to inquiries being made with the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, who later coordinated with prosecutors in Oregon.

The findings by NW Horse Report came following tips from multiple readers, including a man who alleged to have been in a brief relationship with Herring last year and assisted in the care at her direction of horses in still in Lane County.

In April of 2022, Herring was convicted of two counts of neglect following a 2-day trial last year as part of a 2019 criminal investigation. She was aquitted on other counts, including practicing veterinary medicine.

Herring was also the subject of a notorious neglect case from 2010 in Linn County, Oregon, where investigators found 116 horses on a 12-acre property. Herring was charged with 31-counts of second-degree animal neglect in connection to that case.

“There was the stench of manure and urine.” said then Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller to the Oregonian and other media. “It smelled like sickness. It was bad”.

Charges in that case were later dropped against Herring for what appeared to be missteps by investigators during the seizure process of the horses.

On the heals of national media attention from the case, Herring then reportedly moved to Washington State for nearly a decade before returning to Oregon, shortly before investigators raided a property where Herring was living near Madras. Investigators were executing a warrant as part of a case looking into Cora Gooding-Murphy, a dog breeder who’s some 57 Australian shepherds were seized due to alleged neglect. Gooding-Murphy is currently awaiting her own trial on neglect which is scheduled next month.

Shortly following Herring’s conviction last year, NW Horse Report uncovered documents from the Oregon Department of Justice showing the non-profit horse rescue she was the Vice-President of, had not been properly registered with the DOJ and had received warnings of potential legal action by the DOJ.

A photo showing the Jefferson County Circuit Court in Madras, Oregon. — Tania Herring was convicted in April of 2022 following a 2-day trial of multiple counts of animal neglect in connection with a case from 2019 in Jefferson County. (Photo Credit – NW Horse Report)

The non-profit, MG Equine Rescue & Therapy located in Eugene, Oregon, falsely claimed to NW Horse Report– and in late financial fillings with the Oregon DOJ— that Herring was never an officer of the organization. However, the groups original application with the DOJ and articles of incorporation listed Herring as a one of the original incorporating directors and title of vice-president on application.

A spokesperson for the DOJ later stated an investigation into the organization had been opened following the discoveries made by NW Horse Report months later, which included further questions regarding the actual financials of the organization. Herring’s associates and founders of the rescue, Tiffany Gravelle and her husband David, operated a similarly named for-profit business called MG Equine Farm and continue to have tens of thousands of dollars in civil judgements against them from various contractors and local large-animal veterinarians.

Recently both the non-profit and for-profit companies were also dissolved by the Oregon Secretary of State for failure to renew. However, the non-profit has not filed required statements dissolving the organization and handling any remaining assets as required for 501(c)(3) and Oregon non-profits.

Numerous sources came forward to NW Horse Report also alleging labor violations, unsafe working conditions, and illegal employment of minors at Herring’s direction to care for all the horses located at MG Equine Rescue who’s facility is comingled with the Gravelle’s personal property and for-profit business.

NW Horse Report also discovered that Herring had ignored the judges release conditions between her arraignment in 2021 and the later trial held in 2022, but State prosecutors didn’t become aware until shortly after the conviction.

Following her conviction last year, Herring relocated to Yakima, Washington, although Herring later claimed to sheriff’s deputies her primary residence was actually at a property in Salem, Oregon, a residence listed for Herring’s mother, Donell Chapman.

After NW Horse Report’s original inquiry in September of 2022, a deputy with the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office documented animals at a property outside Yakima where Herring was living, including nearly two dozen horses. On January 11th, 2023, multiple deputies went back to the property outside Yakima, and made contact with Jefferson County prosecutors in Oregon, including the State’s Special Animal Cruelty Prosecutor Jacob Kamins to report their findings.

The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office had also been trying to serve a subpoena recently, suspected to be in connection with a trial scheduled for Herring’s associate Gooding-Murphy, but said they were not aware Herring had moved out of State. It appeared Herring was also required to keep the judge and court updated as a condition of her probation.

ADA Kamins– who is also handling the case against Gooding-Murphy– declined to comment about the case and Herring’s ties.

According to the report, Deputies also observed approximately, “25 horses and 5 goats.”. Herring denied owning the animals on the property, claiming the animals were owned by her friend Jimmy Day and she was only at the property a couple days a week.

Herring is prohibited from being in possession or control of any domestic animals or equine for 5-years.

When Day was contacted by deputies and asked if he owned the horses, he was, “at first, non committal”, according to the deputy’s report. The report says Day then told a said he owned most of the horses at the property, alleging he had bought them last year from Herring who also transported them for him from southern California.

Even so, Herring transporting these animals would have been either another violation of her probation, or a violation of her release conditions if it was in early 2022 prior to the April trial.

It was unclear if any of these horses were tied to Herring’s past connection to Gooding-Murphy’s property in Jefferson County, or the many horses she had at the site of MG Equine Rescue in Eugene– and not actually from Southern California as Day alleged to deputies.

Day did however tell the deputies that Herring frequently cares for the animals at the property when he is unable to do so, which he told deputies happens weekly. Day then confirmed that Herring leases the property, and he was “subleasing” it from Herring.

Despite questionable claims surrounding “ownership” of the horses, Herring was still in violation of her probation which prompted quick action by the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office.

Two days following the most recent visit by deputies to Herring’s Yakima property, Chapman (Herring’s mother) contacted NW Horse Report pleading for this publication to cease looking into new allegations against her daughter, in part saying, “So why are you still checking up on my daughter?” Chapman asked of NW Horse Report.

Chapman expressed her displeasure with NW Horse Report’s follow-up investigation into her daughter following tips regarding Herring having possession of horses in violation of her probation.

“My daughter and her girls life has been completely up rooted and changed…she is doing her best to survive as a single mother…” Chapman also remarked.

It appeared Herring learned that authorities were tipped off to the secret property from inquires being made by NW Horse Report with the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office regarding any history of complaints or allegations by others regarding Herring being in possession of horses.

A copy of the order issuing a warrant for the arrest of Tania Herring following alleged probation violations by possessing horses.

It was then discovered that Chapman had previously sent messages to NW Horse Report critical of the past coverage following her conviction, although NW Horse Report did not make the connection of Chapman as Herring’s mother at the time.

“Hope you don’t have a skinny horse you are trying to put weight on in a pasture, because anyone can drive by and call animal control…” said Chapman.

Last week, Kamins filed a motion revoking Herring’s probation for “[Failure] to refrain from possession of same genus or domestic animals, and that a warrant issue.”

Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Wade Whiting then granted the order and issued a no bail warrant which is still outstanding as of press time. It is unclear if it will be necessary for the State to seek extradition if Herring does not return voluntarily to Oregon.

It also appears Herring had also been in the process of appealing her original conviction last year to the Oregon Court of Appeals, but that did not suspend any part of her sentence and terms of probation.

Anybody with information regarding Herring’s whereabouts can also contact the respective law enforcement agency. This is a developing story.

Mom & daughter convicted of Felony Animal Neglect; all in connection with 18 horses, illegal business and ‘kids horse camp’

NW Horse Report Staff

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January 6, 2023

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Mom & daughter convicted of Felony Animal Neglect; all in connection with 18 horses, illegal business and ‘kids horse camp’

Sandra Brownell (left) and her daughter Jessica Brownell (right) pictured during their sentencing January 6th, 2023, after pleading guilty of four counts of animal neglect, three of which were felony counts. The charges stemmed from the neglect of over a dozen horses and other animals at their unregistered horse business outside Dallas, Oregon. Photo Credit – NW Horse Report

Dallas, Ore. – A mom & daughter duo who operated an illegal, unregistered equestrian business in Oregon were convicted after pleading guilty to three felony counts and one misdemeanor count of animal neglect. The plea was part of a deal struck with prosecutors after being indicted by a Polk County grand jury of 14 felony counts of animal neglect, charges which were originally started as misdemeanors.

NW Horse Report’s exclusive coverage from the Friday plea and sentence hearing, as it did not appear any other reporters or media outlets were present.

The indictment against Sandra Brownell, 60, and Jessica Brownell, 29, came after authorities raided the property on August 30th, 2022. The situation was reportedly so bad for several horses that a veterinarian was immediately called.

The veterinarian, later identified in court documents as Dr. Chris Wickliffe, a renowned local veterinarian who owns Cascadia Equine Veterinary Clinic near Linn-Benton Community Collage, ultimately determined that several horses needed to be euthanized on-site.

Around this time, the Brownell’s had apparently been in the middle of a summer “kids horse camp”, as detailed in our original reporting back in September. Multiple sources had also alleged the Brownell’s business to have engaged illegal and “under the table” work, as well as volunteers, including minors. Others said the kids camp itself was a means to not only generate revenue, but have young children cleaning stalls and doing other “barn chores”.

Since the business was not registered, it was likely unable to file and pay any payroll taxes, did not have workers’ compensation coverage, and did not have the required certificates from the State to employ minors 14-17. It is generally illegal for a for-profit business to have unpaid “volunteers”.

The case resulted in the Polk County District Attorney Aaron Felton calling in Deputy District Attorney Jacob Kamins, who serves as the State’s Special Animal Cruelty Prosecutor.

When asked by the judge as to their plea on each of the four counts, both Jessica and Sandra Brownell responded in a quiet and low tone, “Guilty”.

Both Brownell’s pleaded guilty to the following charges; 2 counts of felony animal neglect in the first degree, 1 count of felony animal neglect in the second degree, and 1 count of misdemeanor animal neglect in the second degree. Per the agreement with the State, the judge dismissed the 10 other counts.

Sentencing hearing

During sentencing, Kamins detailed to Polk County Circuit Court Judge Timothy Park much of the conditions many of the horses and other animals were found in– details which brought some in the courtrooms galley in tears. Kamins also asked the Judge to allow Joy Laudahl, Co-Founder of Harmony New Beginnings Animal Rescue, the 501(c)(3) organization which was called in by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to assist with the seizure of horses, to detail the care and treatment the horses needed.

The Brownell’s attorney lightly objected to Laudahl making a statement, saying “In the interests of time, kind of– I don’t know that there’s a provision– I know the victim has a right to speak, [but] I don’t know a caretaker of animals has the right or that we need to go into this.”

The Judge ultimately disagreed and allowed Laudahl to detail her organizations experience in caring for the animals, “The law very clearly designates animals as victims… I think it is appropriate to hear briefly from their caretaker.” said Judge Park.

Laudahl went on to expand on the horrific conditions she and her team witnessed with the horses at the Brownell’s property, both on-site and during examinations after the animals were removed.

“These horses had so much filth in their feet that the feet were actually rotting underneath,” said Laudahl.

Laudahl also explained how four of the rescued horses required the use of a “sawzall” in order to “get their feet back into shape.”

Pictured is Joy Laudahl who runs Harmony New Beginnings Animal Rescue, a 501(c)(3) horse rescue that assisted authorities during the seizure of horses being neglected by Sandra and Jessica Brownell. The court allowed Laudahl to speak on behalf of the horses as she and the non-profit were involved as their ongoing caretakers following the horses being seized August 30th, 2022. (Photo Credit – NW Horse Report)

Kamins had also detailed that the Brownell’s negligence in caring for the animals was all part of an illegal business that had operating for years, including after nearly being brought up on charges in 2017.

“Fast forward to 2022, and the Brownell’s are running a business, an unlicensed business called Salt Creek Equestrian, which is designated in advertising materials as a horse day camp, promising parents quote ‘a unique day camp to fit your scheduled and enrich your child’s love of horses.’ ” Kamins said when addressing Park.

Both Sandra and Jessica Brownell declined to give any statement, although their attorney did speak on their behalf by explaining that his clients got “in over their heads.”

“These are neglect charges– these are neglect convictions–they got underwater, they got in over their heads, they got too many animals, and they couldn’t keep up with it.” said their attorney.

“This is not an intentional thing. These are not people that intended to hurt animals or to hurt anyone else.”

Their attorney then went on to explain that his clients did not want to speak prior to sentencing, “I have spoken with both of the Brownells, and they don’t want to make a statement at this time, but we have discussed the statement that we could make, which is and [sic] that there was no intentional harming of animals or anything like that going on here, and sometimes people just get in over their heads.”

Judge issues Sentence

After confirming directly with the Brownell’s that they did not wish to make a personal statement before sentencing, Judge Park explained that it was one of the more serious cases he had ever seen, “I have to say, I’ve seen a number of these cases over the years– I practiced criminal law for almost 20 years– what has been described to me is one of the more egregious, at least the worse case that I’ve come across.”

Judge Park went on saying, “While I certainly understand [the Brownell’s attorney’s] point about how somebody can get in over their heads very easily, but [sic] what has been described to me I think goes way past the ‘in over the head’, and goes into more of a willful negligence.”

“[It] seems clear that you ladies would have known something was amiss, and these animals needed more than you could give… that’s the real tragedy,” said Judge Park.

The Judge’s sentence for the most part followed the terms of the plea deal, with some deviation. Ultimately, the sentence for each defendant included 36 months of probation; prohibition of possessing any domestic animals or any animals of the genus equine for 15 years, or pigs for 5 years; 150 hours of community service, allowing law enforcement to conduct property searches, completion of mental health treatment, and monthly restitution payments.

Restitution is expected to get into tens of thousands of dollars, but the final amount and monthly payment requirement is being left open for 60-days for the State to provide a final figure to the court to rule on. Kamin’s told the court that the costs of veterinary and ongoing care for the animals had exceeded $25,000 in just the first month and a half, and that costs continue to increase at the present time.

Should both parties comply with the required probation terms over the next 36 months, including completion of the mental health program, they are permitted to motion the court for a reduction to no less than 5 years instead of 15 years on the limitation. It appeared such a decision would entirely be up to the court’s discretion.

The biggest deviation in the sentencing was the judge not ordering the recommended suspended jail sentences which would have totaled a maximum of 90-days, effectively allowing the court the ability order far more jail time in the event the Brownell’s do not comply with the terms of their sentence.

The judge also ordered that neither Brownell was permitted to “run or operate any business, either licensed or unlicensed, during the period of probation involving animals.”, meaning 15 years.

Due to alleged health issues involving her husband, Sandra Brownell was separately permitted to assist in the care of several dogs and cats belonging to her husband. In the event of her husband’s passing or moving to any home or facility that did not permit animals, Sandra Brownell would be required to surrender the animals within 30 days. She is also permitted to assist other family on her property with the care of 7 cows that are intended for future “subsistence”.

Reaction

Following the sentencing, Laudahl spoke with NW Horse Report, appearing relieved by the sentence handed down. Many rescue operators have been all too familiar with light sentences that are often pleaded to misdemeanors and result in defendants promptly reoffending.

“There were cats stacked in feces filled crates with no food and water. Two big drafts were put in a stall together as they could not be separated. I truly believe they never had enough room to lay down. The three minis we took out needed hoof care and feed.” said Laudahl in a statement to NW Horse Report following the hearing.

Laudahl also had high praise for all those who helped with the rescue, as well as the ongoing care since September. This included the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, in particular, animal services deputy Jodi Whiting, as well as veterinarians and staff from Cascadia Equine, staff from Stormy Ranch, Oregon Farrier School, and countless others.

Kamins expressed much of the same appreciation, in particular to Deputy Whiting.

“The seizure was a significant operation… so a huge thanks to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, especially Deputy Whiting, and other deputies there.” said Kamins, going on to also thank several others.

“Thanks to the DA’s office here for letting me handle this case… and obviously to [Laudahl] and Harmony New Beginnings and everyone who works with her, as well as Dr. Wickliffe and his team.”

Photos obtained by NW Horse Report also showed repeated issues of significantly overgrown hooves, a situation that was further upsetting to those familiar with the Brownells who said that Sandra Brownell’s own son, James “JD” Brownell, is a local farrier.

However, NW Horse Report previously uncovered that his business, BF Farrier Services, was and remains unregistered with the State. Online pages for all of the businesses associated with the Brownell’s are no longer available. Photos from the since-deleted Salt Creek Equestrian Facebook page appeared to show James Brownell assisting with the horse camps.

Several individuals who have been following the case against the Brownells attended the plea and sentencing hearing. While it did not immediately involve jail time as some said they hoped for, many were still pleased with the result, in particular, the State obtaining guilty pleas on multiple felony charges and not just misdemeanors.

When asked about his overall feelings following the Brownell’s sentencing, Kamins told NW Horse Report, “I feel mixed emotions, I’m really glad that the horses that were able to be seized and rehomed had that opportunity and I’m thrilled that this business and any business of its type run by either Jessica or Sandra Brownell will not be recurring.”

The Brownell’s and their attorney exited the courtroom with haste following the conclusion of the sentencing without appearing to have any interest in commenting. A call placed to their attorney offering comment was not returned prior to press time, although this was expected after the Brownell’s choose not to make a statement during the hearing.

A photo of Jessica Brownell (left) and her mother Sandra Brownell speaking with their attorney following their arraignment on 14 felony counts of animal neglect. The mom and daughter duo later both plead guilty as part of a deal with prosecutors on January 6th, 2023.

Laudahl, like several sources that went public in recent months, expressed disdain for others around the Brownells who had also witnessed the neglect over a long period of time and said nothing. Others detailed that the Brownell’s would often try to hide the emaciated horses from their customers, as well as engaged in a regular campaign of “intimidation” against those who implied reporting them to authorities.

“The fact that so many horses died before this seizure, all this abuse was done in front of kids at their day camp and it was all lack of basic care makes me sick.” Laudahl said, “So many people saw the suffering and never said anything. People helped the Brownells continue to abuse animals by never saying anything. People need to always speak up for children and animals that have no voice.”

The Brownells are due back in court later this year for an update with the judge as part of their bench probation.

Harmony New Beginnings has played a crucial role in supporting law enforcement with animal neglect cases throughout the mid-Willamette Valley for years, having also received the 2021 Rescue Entity of the Year Award from the Oregon Animal Control Council. The organization had also assisted a young equestrian and her family in late 2021, one of NW Horse Report’s most-read stories, which detailed the family’s efforts for the return of their horse after an Oregon horse trader falsely told police it died and tried to launder title of the horse.

The horse trader, Geneva Boston, along with several friends and associates, then engaged in a campaign boldly denying the allegations, going so far as claiming documented police reports and statements confirmed by a Sheriff’s office spokesman were made up. This included unsupported claims and other attacks on social media against the horse’s owner and her family, NW Horse Report, and Harmony New Beginnings, including alleging the claims were “defamation”.

Laudahl confirmed there is still a big need for ongoing care of several horses rescued from the Brownells. If you’re interested in supporting the non-profit’s ongoing efforts or donating you can learn more by visiting their website at https://www.hnbar.org.

This story was updated at 2:02pm on 1/8/2022 to include details concerning restitution in the sentencing.

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Woman convicted as part of notorious Horse Neglect case in Lane County violated agreement say Oregon prosecutors; leaving State despite bail conditions

NW Horse Report Staff

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December 30, 2022

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Woman convicted as part of notorious Horse Neglect case in Lane County violated agreement say Oregon prosecutors; leaving State despite bail conditions

One of the 60+ horses seized in the October 2019 investigation involving multiple suspects, including Raina McKenzie Ott, 23. The horse pictured may not be one of the actual horses tied to any of the four counts of neglect that Ott was charged with. Photo Credit – Lane County Sheriff’s Office

Eugene, Ore. – Oregon’s Special Animal Cruelty Prosecutor Jacob Kamins, on behalf of the Lane County District Attorney’s Office, has filed a “Notice of Deferred Sentencing Agreement Termination” due to alleged violations of the agreement by the defendant. Raina McKenzie Ott, 23, and her mother Erica Ott, were similarly charged in connection with the notorious horse neglect case involving Gwenyth Davies that received national media attention. The case involved the neglect of over 60 horses at a property outside Eugene, Oregon.

The case erupted after authorities with the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Lane County Animal Services (LCAS), and Special Agents with the Oregon Humane Society, raided a property outside Eugene in October of 2019. Sound Equine Options, a well-known 501(c)(3) horse rescue organization, assisted authorities with the seizure of the horses.

NW Horse Report had previously uncovered in 2021 that Davies was also found to be in violation of her probation but avoided further consequences in 2021. Davies was instead given a significant reduction in her monthly restitution payments, angering many following the case. Some of the individuals include proponents who have been alleging years of missteps and lack of transparency by officials at LCAS.

Lane County has recently blocked several public records requests from NW Horse Report directed at LCAS with exorbitant fees, including one for approximately $22,000 for records into several well-known individuals and recent cases. A single request, limited to copies of reports and complaints involving a PeaceHealth doctor convicted of animal neglect, received a demand for $513.58. Those records did not even include records from the City of Eugene’s animal control which was directly tied to the doctor’s conviction.

Raina Ott was charged with four separate counts of Animal Neglect in the Second Degree, each count involving a separate horse.

A copy of the notice filed December 29th, 2022, by the Lane County District Attorney’s Office terminating a deferred sentencing agreement for Raina Ott.

SEO’s Executive Director Kim Mosiman told NW Horse Report that one of Ott’s horses named Nook, is still under its care and now ownership.

“The mare had advanced, painful ringbone when she came in and was heavy in foal. She is in what we call a hospice foster home.” said Mosiman.

“Nook has been on pain medication as soon as it was safe for her foal. Her foster mom keeps a watchful eye on her pain level because we know the medication will eventually stop working. For now, though, she is happy, comfortable, and enjoying not having hundreds of extra pounds from packing around a foal.”

On November 20th, 2020, Ott entered a guilty plea as part of a deal with the district attorney’s office. This included a delayed sentencing agreement that postponed sentencing for 24 months. Ott was already due back in court on November 22nd, 2022, for sentencing. Not only did Ott fail to appear, she also appears to have violated numerous conditions of the agreement.

The State said that Ott, “failed to pay restitution”, “engaged in buying, selling, trading, or breeding animals”, “failed to provide OHS and LCAS required documentation n of animals”, and “failed to enroll in and complete the BARC education course”.

The court issued a warrant for Ott’s arrest the same day. Ott later surrendered herself to authorities nearly a week later on November 28th.

NW Horse Report also uncovered a since-deleted Facebook post made by Ott days in which she was offering to transport dogs or horses on a trip through Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. The post appears to have been deleted by Ott within an hour following it’s inclusion in this publication.

Ott is also currently prohibited from leaving the State according to her conditional release agreement (linked here). It is unclear if Ott is prohibited from possessing animals, beyond the ones she was required to declare in 2020.

A copy of since-deleted social media post made by Raina Ott (Raina McKenzie) offering to transport animals. Ott is also prohibited from leaving Oregon due to the release conditions from her recent warrant and then arrest after failing to appear for sentencing in November. NW Horse Report honored Ott’s request to remove the photo with her minor child by blocking out part of the image.

Ott was also convicted in 2018 for felony Theft in the First Degree in Lane County. Ott still owes $13,104.66 of $14,985.66 in court-ordered restitution in that case. The State also alleges that restitution is owed in this current case to the Oregon Humane Society.

Ott responds to the State’s allegations of violating the Deferred Sentencing Agreement, travel out-of-state.

When reached for comment, a receptionist for Ott’s attorney’s office said that the attorney was not available, further stating they do not speak with reporters. Ott also did not answer when initially contacted seeking comment prior to press time, but did later speak with NW Horse Report following publication, in part denying some of the State’s allegations.

Ott did admit that she had not taken the BARC education course and claimed her attorney said the failure to pay restitution would not be considered a violation of the agreement.

“I haven’t breached anything other than not finishing one thing, and part of my agreement didn’t include restitution– that wasn’t on me.” said Ott, going on to say “I have the email on that.”

Ott also initially said she didn’t know she was prohibited from leaving the State.

“I was told that I was fine, I was going to visit my dad and taking a load of things in our horse trailer to my brother. I offered to take things on the way back.” Ott said.

Ott’s posting was also offering to trailer dogs and horses for a fee, which also likely would require Ott to have either a USDOT number or at least be registered with the FMCSA due to commercial interstate transport. Ott is required to comply with all local, state, and federal laws as a condition of her release.

When asked about the specific condition and if she had permission from the court, Ott responded by saying, “Yes, and I called the court.”

Asked again if she called the court, Ott responded with a simple “Yes”. She was then asked if she had any documents from the court that confirmed she had permission, Ott appeared to start changing her story.

“No, because I haven’t left the state. I’m not the one doing the transport,” said Ott, who then began to claim she never said she was leaving the state.

“Yes, I was going to, but have not heard back [from the court], so I did not follow through with the transport”. Ott continued to deny that she ever planned to leave the state, despite explaining that she was leaving the state to visit family only moments prior.

Ott further denied she had ever sold any animals, although Facebook posts from her directly claimed otherwise. Ott then claimed she was just helping her “co-breeder” sell the animals and getting people in touch with them. It’s unclear, even if her claims were accurate if Ott would be considered selling since she was involved in facilitating the sale of an animal.

When questioned about the entire ordeal and charges originally filed against her in 2020, Ott further went on to put most of the blame for the entire situation on Davies, explaining that she had frequently been left to care and incurred expenses to care for many horses that did not belong to her, contributing to the situation for her own animals. She further claimed her sister had even made calls to LCAS as one of the complaints– although NW Horse Report cannot yet confirm the claims.

Ott had also claimed she provided required reports via email to the OHS and LCAS officials as required in her agreement, stating she would be willing to provide them to NW Horse Report to dispute the State’s claim, although they have not yet been received.

Ott is now due back in court on January 23rd for sentencing.

She had also been critical of NW Horse Report, claiming our publication has a history of “defaming and slandering people”.

NW Horse Report has a well-established precedence of seeking public records, court documents, and statements from officials– and making those available to our readers. Publishing this information, especially records or statements from other parties and government agencies, is far from defamatory. We often use professional discretion to redact information of suspects and other parties, including phone numbers and home addresses if not part of a business. NW Horse Report remains committed to the hard work required for such difficult investigative journalism that our readers care about.

This story was updated at 6:20pm on 12/30 to include comments from SEO and details of an alleged release violation by Ott that may be underway. The story was again updated at 9:24pm on 12/30 to include statements made by Ott after initial publication.

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Dead horses found at property in Oak Harbor, WA; owner has history of animal neglect

NW Horse Report Staff

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December 27, 2022

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Dead horses found at property in Oak Harbor, WA; owner has history of animal neglect

Two dead horses were found on an Oak Harbor property owned by a woman previously convicted of animal neglect in Skagit County, Washington. Over 50 dogs and cats were later seized as part of a search warrant, and 12 other horses put into temporary custody in foster homes.

Oak Harbor, Wash. – According to a press release hours ago by the Island County Sheriff’s Office in Washington State, deputies found two deceased horses and several others that were emaciated at a property in Oak Harbor. The discovery was made after a report on December 24th. After the discovery, “An animal cruelty investigation was initiated.”, according to the statement.

“With the assistance of Safe Equine, Pasado Safe Haven and numerous caring citizens, twelve horses were surrendered, received veterinarian inspections and placed into foster homes pending the investigation. Pigs and rabbits were also rehomed.” the statement read.

A search warrant was then issued two days later on Monday for the residence on the property. Over 50 dogs and cats were also found and seized following the execution of the warrant.

“A search warrant was issued and served on the residence. Twenty-two dogs, thirty-one cats and four chinchillas were seized with the assistance of WAIF. They are pending veterinarian inspection. The location was reported to be a used as a dog and cat breeder.”

The ICSO did not identify the suspect or the specific location at the time. Officials at ICSO declined to comment further this afternoon until an authorized individual who could speak on the matter was back in tomorrow.

NW Horse Report was able to independently confirm through multiple sources that the location as being at 1798 West Hastie Lake Rd in Oak Harbor.

The identify of the suspect, 58-year-old Kristi Lynn Finch-Thomas (aka “Kris”), was first confirmed and published by NW Horse Report. Finch is no stranger to controversy, with many Whidbey Island and Skagit County locals who say she has a over decades long history of animal neglect.

Around 2009, Finch was charged with felony animal cruelty in Skagit County in connection with her “aussie” breading business, Ausland Aussie’s. As has been common in similar neglect cases, the business did not appear to be registered or licensed. The 2009 case had repeated coverage from Skagit Valley Herald (goskagit.com).

County records confirm the property off Hastie is owned by Finch. According to county records, Finch also has $11,778.33 in unpaid property taxes from just the last 3 years.

Two unidentified individuals pictured assisting one of the twelve horses that were taken from Kristi Lynn Finch, 58, of Oak Harbor, WA.

Redmond. Washington, based Save a Forgotten Equine (SAFE) confirmed to NW Horse Report that they were one of the organizations providing assistance with the rescued horses, primarily supplying hay to undisclosed foster locations for the horses. Terry Phelps, Operations Manager for SAFE, explained they expected the level of their support to increase as the case progressed.

“Our outreach on this case was three parts, one providing hay wherever they ended up, it be a foster location or with the sheriff’s office.” said Phelps.

She went on to explain that hay was the most immediate concern with the development of this case on Christmas Eve. “The second thing we also offer is assistance with medical care.”

Attempts to reach Finch for comment were unsuccessful.

The story is gaining much attention on local social media circles, with numerous citizens also being mildly critical of the county government and sheriff’s office regarding their past handling of complaints and reports on Finch’s alleged lack of care.

Island County’s Commissioner Chair Melanie Bacon released a statement on social media earlier Tuesday after the avalanche of attention brought by local citizens.

“Over Christmas weekend the County received complaints about an animal hoarding and abuse situation in the Oak Harbor area. Our deputies and the animal care community responded magnificently.” said Bacon.

“The Sheriff’s Office is currently assessing the applications they have received for the Animal Control Officer position. We will attempt to fill this position as quickly as possible. I will ask the Sheriff and my colleagues to again review the animal control needs we face in our County.”

Bacon expressed her feelings on the overall response of constituents, saying, “I am very grateful that community members joined together with our Sheriff’s Deputies to care for the animals impacted by this horrific situation.”

This is a developing story which you can count on NW Horse Report to keep you updated on in the coming days. Be sure to follow us on Twitter or Facebook to get the latest breaking equine news that matters.

Man arrested for filming minors in bathroom released from jail; associated horse riding business denies ties, claims of illegal minor labor

NW Horse Report Staff

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December 23, 2022

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Man arrested for filming minors in bathroom released from jail; associated horse riding business denies ties, claims of illegal minor labor

**** UPDATED at 9:21pm on 12/23: This story was promptly updated to include numerous attachments and records obtained from State agencies and court fillings. This has been done due to allegations made by the involved parties against NW Horse Report. We intend to give our readers confidence in our reporting and to be able to review such records themselves when drawing their own conclusions.

Tillamook, Ore. – A Pacific City man arrested December 13th, 2022, in connection with allegations he was filming people in a bathroom at his residence and camel-riding business has made bail. He was released around 9am on December 21st, spending just over a week in jail.

John David Bonander, 48, was arrested and charged with two felony counts of invasion of privacy and two counts of tampering with evidence. The discovery was made after a minor, who NW Horse Report has confirmed from State records was also an employee of his business and an associated horseback riding business, found the camera and confronted him. Bonander is the co-owner of West Coast Camels.

Court documents also identified, albeit unexpectedly, a person named Brian Kennedy of Chicago, Illinois, as the individual who posted his bail over by phone. Kennedy’s relation to Bonander is unknown.

According to a press release made by the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office, investigators believe there are more victims and are working to identify them in the course of their investigation.

Many local citizens were already upset that another Tillamook County man, arrested on sex crimes involving minors and included in the same press release by TCSO as Bonander, promptly made bail weeks earlier. The revelation that Bonander was able to make bail by posting 10% of the $26,000 bail ($2,600) is likely to anger many locals in Tillamook County. According to his security release document obtained by NW Horse Report, Bonander still resides at the business location at the time of publication.

Until a few years ago, West Coast Camels worked with the Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon.

An official with the Wildlife Safari could not provide any information on the circumstances leading to the end of its business with Bonander, citing company policy. Bonander had numerous charges in past years from law enforcement in Douglas County for DUI, harassment, and assault– all during the time he was alleged to be involved with the Wildlife Safari.

“[John] Bonander was a past contractor, but per company policy, we do not give out information on previous or current contractors.” said an official with the company on Thursday.

Horseback riding company tries to distance itself.

The business, located at 5985 Pacific Ave in Pacific City, is also the site for another business that Bonander has had ties to called Green Acres Beach & Trail Rides, which has been under fire in recent years by numerous local residences in Pacific City, as well as State officials, namely the Oregon Parks & Recreation Department.

That business and one of its owners, Teresa Stuebgen, are now distancing themselves from West Coast Camels, claiming no ties to Bonander and that the businesses are separate. Multiple attempts in many months during our ‘Shadow Outfitting’ investigation and story segment, offering Green Acres an opportunity to provide a statement for publication, have gone unanswered. Stuebgen has continued to post on social media that the allegations of hiring minors, along with it’s ties to Bonander, are false.

The businesses are two separately registered legal entities, as confirmed by Oregon Secretary of State records. Still, NW Horse Report has confirmed through various documents that the businesses have closely tied operations. This includes shared employees, joint advertising, and multiple shared facilities. The businesses were found also to share facilities used at a secondary location.

The allegations of shared employees was further confirmed through records from the Outfitter & Guide licensing program at the Oregon State Marine Board, which contained lists of employees that are submitted by the businesses themselves. Both businesses had multiple similar employees, which included minors.

Local sources have said that Bonander and the Stuebgens have been friends until recently. Bonander has also self-identified the Stuebgens as “business partners,” according to records submitted in a law enforcement investigation.

Articles published by multiple local newspapers over the last couple of years have also promoted both businesses. Numerous photos on the since-deleted Facebook business and Instagram pages for West Coast Camels also repeatedly showed the housing of camels with the horses of Green Acres at a separate property, as well as statements of Teresa Stuebgen taking care of the camels belonging to West Coast Camels.

However, the ties between the businesses do not indicate that the Stuebgens or Green Acres had been involved in Bonander’s recent alleged crimes. It does raise serious questions about the Stuebgen’s and Green Acres having minor employees at the business, considering it was not legally allowed to employ minors, to begin with.

When not at the public site on Pacific Ave, the camels are also reportedly housed with horses at another facility at 34850 Resort Dr, a couple of miles from their main property. Court documents list this address as a place Bonander cannot be per his release conditions.

Photographs taken around February of 2021 that show camels belonging to West Coast Camels in a pasture with horses from Green Acres Beach & Trail Rides. The location was where animals used by both businesses are kept during the winters and in the evening during their spring and summer operating season.

Photos provided by a source who has been identified by NW Horse Report but is not being named for a genuine fear of retribution showed horses from Green Acres and Bonander’s camels at the same Resort Drive property. The individual also said the photos showed the camels “caked in mud” and the animals being fed with hay thrown over the mud from a fence line.

Green Acres denies using illegal minor labor; but state records tell a different tale.

While Stuebgen has repeatedly posted via Facebook that they do not employ minors, records obtained from both Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) and other agencies tell different story. In July of 2020, BOLI sent a warning to the business about the employment of minors 14-17 years, demanding the business file immediately for a “minor exemption certificate”.

A warning letter sent by BOLI to Green Acres Beach & Trail Rides requiring a certificate to employ minors.

Daniel Stuebgen, another owner of Green Acres, responded by submitting an application days later. In his application, Mr. Stuebgen falsely reported the business anticipated hiring minors, not that it already had minors working, as evidenced.

BOLI’s Child Labor Unit then attempted to receive more information from the company, but their requests were ignored. The State informed Green Acres that they could not employ minors.

“You may not employ minors as long as you do not have a current Employment Certificate.” said an August 13th, 2020 email. According to BOLI officials, Green Acres did not respond to their requests through October.

Laura van Enckevort, Interim Wage & Hour Administrator, confirmed that the agency has had no follow-up with Green Acres since then. “There has not been any other contact with Green Acres or its owners since October 2021.” said van Enckevort. No exemption certificate was ultimately issued to the business.

The company later submitted records with a list of employees to the OSMB months ago after NW Horse Report ran its first Shadow Outfitting story regarding the many equestrian outfitters that had not been in compliance with OSMB rules, an issue that had been causing years of frustration for several reputable outfitters.

The Stuebgens did not address the allegations that the company has failed to keep workers compensation coverage or the fact that it lied to DCBS officials earlier this year that it no longer has employees.

The business has continued to ignore Oregon laws about workers’ compensation insurance, according to records and officials from the Oregon Department of Consumer & Business Services. The company has not had coverage for its workers since 2019, a costly advantage according to competitors of Green Acres, who say the rates average from $6-$8 per $100 in payroll. The business provided a false statement to DCBS officials during a past investigation, claiming they no longer had employees and were not subject to laws surrounding workers’ compensation.

In September, the Oregon Department of Consumer & Business Services (DCBS) said another investigation was in progress after NW Horse Report uncovered that it had told the OSMB a different story when it submitted a list of employees.

“The investigation on Green Acres is in progress, but not yet complete.” said Mark Peterson, a spokesperson for DCBS.

Numerous online reviews (both overall positive and negative) for the company found on Google and Trip Advisor also left serious doubt of Stuebgen’s claim that they did not employ minors. Many such reviews were over the course of the last few years, including some with responses by the business itself acknowledging minor workers.

A copy of one of many similar reviews on Trip Advisor. Countless more reviews relating to minors in recent years has been compiled by NW Horse Report. The company’s owners continue to claim they do not hire minors, while on office manager with the company instead claim the company was not required to have an exemption the State says it must have.

Sources familiar with the business have also said it’s unlikely there would be a paper trail, believing the business frequently pays it’s employees under the table. A family member of the Stuebgen’s has also alleged the company has coached employees

Documents and photos were also uncovered of Green Acre’s own office manager’s minor child repeatedly working and guiding customers on rides in 2020 and 2021 by an investigator, along with other minors. This also included Bonander’s own minor child, who was not listed as an employee by Green Acres with the OSMB.

Due to the current nature of the allegations against Bonander, NW Horse Report will not be releasing photos identifying minors at this time, although there is no legal prohibition to do so. The identity of the minors in the photos had also been confirmed by Stuebgen’s own daughter-in-law during the investigator’s interview.

The daughter-in-law also alleged in the interview that drinking at the premises around minors during work was frequent. It also claimed the employees only performed CPR and First-Aid training online. The OSMB rules say such training must be “in-person”. An employee of the company, Roy Cabal, was also the instructor listed on all of the certificates issued to the company, oddly including duplicate certificates issued to Daniel Stuebgen far before the current one expired.

However, recent changes to the OSMB guidelines do not require the outfitters to submit the first-aid and CPR training certificates to the state for guide employees, instead requiring them to provide them upon request from the OSMB. It is unclear if OSMB has performed such an audit of Green Acre’s training records.

The first page of an application submitted to BOLI by Green Acres Beach & Trail Rides to employ minors. The exemption was never issued when the company ignored follow-up from State officials seeking clarification on information provided.

While Stuebgen denies having employed minors, Green Acre’s own office manager recently stated instead that the company was in compliance because they are not legally required to obtain the exemption certificate.

However, BOLI officials determined that Green Acres is not considered an “agricultural” employer as defined by state and federal law. Even if the company were, it would still have to obtain an exemption certificate. Additionally, it would be required to obtain a separate permit, along with written parental permission, to employ minors as young as 12.

BOLI’s Deputy Commissioner Duke Shepard declined to comment in relation to either company as it pertains to the allegations with Bonander, including the results of the past (or ongoing) investigation into Green Acres.

“BOLI offers no comment on this case,” said Shepard.

OSMB previously stated, “We are extremely concerned about the situation and working with our law enforcement partners. Given this is an active investigation we are limited in resolutions and information that we can provide at this time.”

Peterson with DCBS also indicated that the agency relies on reports about particular employers.

“If someone has specific concerns about an employer not carrying workers’ compensation insurance, they can make a referral to us and we will handle that according to our established processes. People can call us at 888-877-5670 (toll-free) or email us at wcd.employerinfo@dcbs.oregon.gov.” said Peterson.

FDA: Colorado-based alfalfa cubes killed horses; recall announced

NW Horse Report Staff

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December 22, 2022

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FDA: Colorado-based alfalfa cubes killed horses; recall announced

Manzanola, Colo. – Federal officers are warning horse owners not to feed their animals Top of the Rockies brand alfalfa cubes after nearly 100 horses developed neurologic illnesses– 45 of which have now died or been euthanized.

On Saturday the US Food & Drug Administration issued a warning. Manzanola Feeds, located in southeastern Colorado, recalled the cubes on Friday. The company warns that certain batches may contain bacteria that cause botulism, a fatal paralytic disease. The FDA said more testing is ongoing to confirm the causes of reported illnesses.

The company directly distributed products to stores in 10 states including Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin. However, the FDA warns the cubes may have been sold in other states as well.

Some cubes have been reported to contain what appears to be fur and animal tissues, which may have been ground up during alfalfa harvesting. Botulism-causing bacteria is found in decaying animal carcasses.

Top of the Rockies alfalfa cubes are sold in white and tan plastic 50-pound bags with green labeling. The date codes are on the front of the package. Potentially contaminated lots include those with the date codes 111222, 111322, 111422, 111522, and 111622.

Owner of West Coast Camels, associated with horseback riding outfitter, arrested for recording minors in bathroom

NW Horse Report Staff

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December 19, 2022

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Owner of West Coast Camels, associated with horseback riding outfitter, arrested for recording minors in bathroom

UPDATED on 12/20 at 4:44pm to reflect responses from multiple state officials at OSMB and BOLI.

Pacific City, Ore. – The owner of a camel riding business, which operates in partnership with a horseback riding outfitter, has been arrested by Tillamook County Sheriff’s detectives for recording people in a bathroom located at the business’s location.

John David Bonander, 48, of Pacific City, was arrested December 13th on charges of two felony counts of first-degree invasion of privacy, and two counts of tampering with evidence. Bonander was already on probation in relation to a conviction of telephonic harassment earlier this year against a victim in Linn County.

Photo of John Bonander released by Tillamook County Sheriff’s Detectives in efforts to uncover additional victims. Photo Courtesy of TCSO.

“We received information that a minor female found a surveillance camera hidden under the sink in John Bonander’s bathroom,” said Tillamook County Sheriff’s Detective Chase Ross. “The victim removed the camera and they believed that they were recorded in the bathroom on several occasions.”

According to TCSO, Bonander appeared to be preparing to flea the area.

“We found two phones in the process of being erased, as well as a ‘go-bag’ filled with passports and birth certificates. Bonander also had a large amount of cash on him.” said Ross.

Detectives reportedly found evidence that victims had been recorded secretly while using a bathroom at the properties location. Based on TCSO seeking information from other potential victims, it appears the restroom may have been used by employees and customers of both businesses.

The charging document can be viewed here. NW Horse Report also obtained a copy of his Arraignment Order from December 14th. Additional court documents were sealed, which appears to be standard practice in cases involving minors or crimes of this nature.

Court documents and records showed that Bonander resides at the business location used by both companies, but neither business owns the the property that they appear to be leasing. Since initial publication, NW Horse Report has attempted to see comment from the properties actual owner– due to the growing civil and criminal issues that continue to embroil these business and their owners. We have yet to hear back.

John Bonander is the owner of West Coast Camels, a camel-riding outfitting company that operates in partnership with Green Acres Beach & Trail Rides at the same location on Pacific Ave in Pacific City. Both businesses and respective owners also had numerous issues with State agencies and law enforcement, including being previously found to be operating without a license after reports from local citizens to the OSMB and Oregon State Parks.

Both owners of Green Acres Beach & Trail Rides, Daniel & Teresa Stuebgen, have had numerous criminal charges and civil complaints in recent years, including criminal charges against Daniel Stuebgen for domestic violence and assault in Lincoln County. Both also own and operate a business called Happy Trails Feed & Tack in nearby Lincoln City.

Click or tap to view the pdf of the arraignment order obtained by NW Horse Report.

Numerous allegations against the businesses over the last several years included violations of labor laws, illegal employment of minors., operating illegally without an outfitter license, and providing false information on OSMB applications. NW Horse Report has had a number of stories involving illegal outfitting as part of our “Shadow Outfitting” series, which included details about Green Acres. Despite these reports and findings recently uncovered, state authorities have continued to allow the operations by the jointly operating businesses.

Despite Green Acres Beach & Trail Rides reporting to the Oregon Department of Consumer & Business Services (DCBS) earlier this year that it no longer had employees, the company reported numerous employees, including minors, to the Oregon State Marine Board. The report came after DCBS sent warning letters to the business about failure to carry workers compensation coverage, which it dropped in recent years. It does not appear the company has obtained the required coverage, nor does it have a certificate for employing minors.

Officials with DCBS indicated earlier this year that they had reopened an investigation, which has since again been closed after the business failed to obtain insurance, but was within a timeframe the agency gave in the warning since the season employees were “laid off”. The agency previously said they completed an investigation and found the company did not have employees onsite, but the investigations on-site visit was in the companies off-season, a fact that had been pointed out to DCBS officials.

Bonander and West Coast Camels, who did appear to have workers compensation coverage, also submitted a list of employees to OSMB which contained several individuals who were also jointly listed by Green Acres. The list included multiple minors, according to sources who spoke months ago with NW Horse Report and were familiar with the individuals.

Records previously obtained by NW Horse Report showed that officials at the OSMB were concerned months ago about Bonander’s outfitter application, based on his recent conviction for telephonic harassment. Despite being aware of this conviction and his background check, the agency went ahead and gave it their approval.

Notes entered on a status sheet by OSMB officials stated, “Background check items of concern, please see attached” immediately following John Bonander answering that he had been convicted of a crime under ORS chapter 166 in July of 2022. OSMB outfitter guide licenses require disclosure of certain criminal convictions as they may disqualify an individual from guiding services.

The referenced attachment from the background check performed by OSMB was not included in public records. The OSMB did not respond to a request for comment before press time regarding the allegations and the status of either company, or Bonander’ with their agency’s recent arrest and felony charges.

Following publication, Brian Paulsen, a spokesperson for OSMB, responded with a statement saying, “The Marine Board is aware of the situation and working with law enforcement partners to gather the facts as quickly as possible. Given that this is an active investigation, we are unable to provide any additional information at this time.”

Paulsen went on to state that the Marine Board “extremely concerned about the situation”.

According to numerous individuals who have been blowing the whistle on these businesses for years, the inaction by State officials from multiple state agencies, including OSMB, BOLI, and DCBS, has allowed both Green Acres and West Coast Camels to continue operating in an irresponsible and unethical manner. They claim this is putting customers, workers, and even minors at risk.

When asked to provide comment on their investigations and years of complaints filed with the agency about illegal labor practices and minors working at Green Acres, BOLI immediately declined to comment.

“BOLI offers no comment on this case.” said BOLI Deputy Commissioner Duke Shepherd

Many local citizens, including a neighborhood association called Citizens on Sunset, also say the years of issues with animal feces on the beach and damage to the dunes due to illegal trails has continued despite efforts by park officials over nearly a decade. The new allegations against Bonander only appear to further back that sentiment.

West Coast Camels is also licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture as an “exhibitor”, a program run by the Animal Plant & Health Inspection Service.

The company and Bonander had previously been contracted with the Wildlife Sufari in Winston, Oregon. Company records with the Oregon Secretary of State appear to show outdated information on West Coast Camels being located in Roseburg.

Bonander could not be reached for comment. It appeared he is still lodged in the Tillamook County Jail as of press time with a bail amount of $26,000. He is scheduled for his next appearance on January 3rd at 1pm in Room 224 in Tillamook County.

Investigators believe that there may be more victims that were secretly recorded by Bonander. If you, or anyone you know has ever been inside the property at 5985 Pacific Ave, in Pacific City, and believes they could have been secretly recorded, you should contact Detective Chase Ross at 503-815-3326.

Following publication Bonander was released from jail as reported in our follow-up.

PeaceHealth now says Doctor convicted of Animal Neglect placed on leave. State officials, health plans decline comment

Miranda Rodriguez

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December 9, 2022

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PeaceHealth now says Doctor convicted of Animal Neglect placed on leave. State officials, health plans decline comment

Eugene, Ore – A Oregon doctor who was recently convicted of neglected her dogs, and who is facing further allegations of neglect surrounding nearly a dozen horses she surrendered as part of her plea deal, has now apparently been placed on leave– a spokesperson for PeaceHealth recently confirmed.

Dr. Christy Horton, who works for Peace Harbor Medical Center in Florence, Oregon, was convicted of animal neglect earlier this month in Eugene Municipal Court, a story that NW Horse Report originally broke and has since been reported on by numerous other media outlets.

PeaceHealth has continued to state that they do not comment on their staff’s “personal legal matters.”, but the statement that Horton was now on leave was a departure from their earlier statements which did not indicate any status change to Horton’s employment.

NW Horse Report was also the first to report and uncover through tips that Horton had a warrant for her arrest for over a decade in relation to charges for animal neglect she was facing from 2005 in Washington State. Horton appears to have promptly left Washington after the incident nearly 2 decades ago.

Oregon Health Plan officials also declined comment, despite the fact that Horton was listed as being a provider for several Coordinated Care Organizations (CCO’s) which operate the State’s Medicaid benefits under the Oregon Health Plan. One of the CCO’s covering Lane County is Pacific Source Community Solutions, who also declined to provide any further comment.

An official with Pacific Source responded to a request to provide comment last week saying, “PacificSource has no comment to offer at this time.” NW Horse Report was informed that Pacific Source would follow-up if that changes.

Due to significant public uproar and concern following the revelations of Horton’s conviction and growing allegations, NW Horse Report asked OHP if they were concerned about the allegations knowing that Horton is still actively providing services to patients on the Oregon Health Plan.

Despite the Oregon Health Plan having clear oversight over the care provided to OHP members, the agency appeared to deflect all inquiries to the Oregon Medical Board and PeaceHealth, “This is not an OHA issue, this is an issue for the Oregon Medical Board or Dr. Horton’s employer.” said Liz Gharst, Health Policy Communications Officer for the agency.

The Oregon Medical Board cited Oregon law saying they could not provide any comment on any possible investigation into Horton, as well as to release any information about possible complaints.

The lack of response from State officials did not appear to sit well with multiple citizens who have been following issues related to Horton, including some who have come to NW Horse Report following our original publication.

One of the major questions still outstanding is how Horton was able to gain employment as a medical doctor in Oregon– considering her past charges and active warrant that was only recalled in 2016 when prosecutors in Washington state cleared the case off their log.

A spokesperson for PeaceHealth said that the organization “stays current with state and federal guidance pertaining to required background checks, and the manner in which information from those background checks may be used in employment decisions. Our focus is always on the patients we serve, and once employed, all caregivers are held to high standards for delivering safe, high-quality care.”

An official with the Oregon Medical Board, Gretchen Kingham, said that medical doctors in Oregon, “must provide fingerprints for a state and federal criminal history record check.”

“All fingerprints are processed through the Oregon State Police (OSP) and the FBI. A history of criminal activity will be reviewed and may result in the denial of an application. You can find detailed information on the OMB’s Fingerprint Requirements webpage.” said Kingham.

The answers only further deepened the question of how Horton was able to gain employment at PeaceHealth.

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Shadow Outfitting: Oregon Beach Rides made over $200k from illegal guiding, was also under contract with Oregon State Parks

Miranda Rodriguez

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December 8, 2022

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Shadow Outfitting: Oregon Beach Rides made over $200k from illegal guiding, was also under contract with Oregon State Parks

Nehalem, Ore. – An Oregon equestrian outfitting and guide company, Oregon Beach Rides, was found to have made over two-hundred thousand dollars in revenue in all 2021 and part of 2022– within the scope of less than 6-months of operation– while operating illegally and under contract and support from the State.

Months ago, NW Horse Report started an investigation into complaints being made by multiple equestrian outfitting companies. The allegations were about unfair enforcement by law enforcement and the Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB), who overseas all outfitting and guide services across Oregon, leading to unfair competition and putting consumers– as well as equestrian workers– at risk.

The investigation which involved inquiries and records with multiple State and local agencies, as well as the United States Forest Service, showed that the vast majority of Oregon’s equestrian outfitters were violating license and permit requirements at the State and Federal levels, along with various labor laws and tax evasion. Several businesses with known employees, some minors, were also found to not have required minor exemption certificates or workers compensation insurance which is required by law.

A smaller outfitting company claimed that they didn’t have workers compensation coverage due to the high cost– and also (falsely) believing the workers personal health insurance would cover them if injured on the job. That company has since obtained required workers compensation coverage. Officials with OSMB said they do not enforce workers compensation requirements.

That task is left to Oregon’s Department of Consumer & Business Service (DCBS), which despite numerous complaints and evidence from other State agencies, does not appear to have taken action against some of the even larger outfitters. One of the other outfitters, Green Acres Beach & Trial Rides, even provided false statements to DCBS earlier this year that they no longer have employees, despite listing their employees with the OSMB. Green Acres also only submitted a current list of employees with the OSMB after NW Horse Report’s previous story on our “shadow outfitting” investigation, despite one of their owners of Green Acres claiming the allegations were completely false on Facebook.

Some of the listed employees included minors, but past records showed Green Acres also didn’t have a “minor exemption certificate” in violation of child labor law. Labor department officials have previously told NW Horse Report that such certificates are limited, and if issued come with strict restrictions for minors.

One of the businesses found to be operating illegally without an outfitter license with OSMB was Oregon Beach Rides, which offers trail rides at Nehalem Bay State Park. In our previous Shadow Outfitting story, the company was found to have not renewed their license as an outfitter, allowing it to expire in June of 2021.

NW Horse Report also uncovered that Oregon Beach Ride’s operation is conducted through an exclusive State awarded contract under the Oregon Parks & Recreation Division (OPRD). OPRD also makes a flat percentage of gross revenue charged by Oregon Beach Rides from, which includes approximately $30,000 the agency made just from the period of illegal guiding operations by Oregon Beach Rides.

In July of 2022, in trying to determine how a company with an exclusive and lucrative state contract could operate without the license, an official with OPRD said that the company reported issues with their insurance as being the reason they forgot to renew their registration with OSMB.

“…there was a delay in their securing liability insurance – insurance we require for a concessionaire and the Oregon State Marine Board requires to register as a Guide/Outfitter – but it was issued in May naming both OPRD and OSMB as certificate holders. Oregon Beach Rides neglected to follow up and complete their OSMB registration.” said the State official.

The OPRD official later walked back the explanation originally given by Oregon Beach Rides itself, as it was discovered that the outfitter license expired in June 2021, not June of 2022 as they implied. Chris Havel with OPRD told NW Horse Report that the agency places an obligation to maintain all the required licenses squarely on the business.

“The fact we don’t verify a concession’s Outfitter Guide registration is an oversight on our part, and one we are correcting immediately. We should have been checking this, and will be from here on.” said Havel.

Over the last two years the company has also failed to carry workers compensation insurance, even telling OPRD officials that only the owners, Judy Winters and Justin Hughes, are involved in the services. The company previously had workers compensation coverage and reported employees.

However, a source pointed NW Horse Report to online postings on social media that clearly showed individuals other than Winters and Hughes involved in the guiding services in 2021 and 2022. One video included an unnamed worker going along on the guided rides and instructing riders, casting doubt on the business’ claims that they have no employees.

Following the company’s OSMB license expiration at the end of June, 2021, records show Oregon Beach Rides continued operating both in 2021 and for most of their 2022 season. The revenue reports for some months in 2021 and 2022, when compared to past years, also called into questions on the company’s ability to operate without employees as it had the years before.

The contract awarded to Oregon Beach Rides states that the “Contractor shall comply with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances…”. It further stated that the “Contractor shall: Obtain and maintain during the term of the Contract, at its own expense, all necessary licenses and permits required for the successful performance of the Services.”

New attempts seeking comment from Oregon Beach Ride’s owner Judy Winters again went without a response. Winters didn’t respond to requests for comment prior to publication of our initial Shadow Outfitting story.

Other equestrian outfitters, as well as non-equestrian outfitters alike, have expressed their displeasure in the State’s apparent unequal enforcement of outfitter guide laws. While it appears OSMB, Oregon State Police, and some county sheriff’s offices are more aggressive with resources into investigating fishing guides, OSMB did detail that fishing guides far exceed the number of equestrian guides, or even guides in other outfitting categories.

It still didn’t explain the vast disparity uncovered by NW Horse Report that showed that even when violations are discovered, most equestrian and other outfitters are not facing any where close to the same consequences, despite making hundreds of thousands, while some fishing guides are facing criminal charges over mere thousands in illegal guiding revenue, a fraction compared to equestrian outfitters like Oregon Beach Rides and others who have been caught operating without a license. One example included a 2020 case involving a Oregon fishing guide, Kyle Buschelman of Eugene and his business, Willamette Valley Outfitters, LLC.

Buschelman was operating illegally in Tillamook County where Oregon Beach Rides and Green Acres Beach & Trial Rides are based. In that case, the Tillamook County Pioneer reported that, “Buschelman eventually admitted to booking guided fishing trips online through his website, promoting himself as a licensed and registered guide. Trips were generally for the Willamette and McKenzie rivers, and recently in Tillamook County waterways as well. He said he had not gotten around to completing the licensing renewal process. He and his passengers did have valid fishing licenses and tags.”

“This maintains an even and fair playing field,” Trooper Ryan Kehr with OSP said, “This makes it fair for everyone else who is taking the time and paying the fees and following the rules.”

Buschelman ultimately pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal, but instead of facing jail time he was issued $2,500 in fines, and had to provided an apology statement to the Oregon State Marine Board. In Oregon Beach Rides case, they were only issued a civil fine by OSMB to the tune of $200 and their license placed on a “probation” status. OSMB stated this fine was the maximum the agency could issue, despite previously saying they were consulting with the Oregon State Police.

Despite Buschelman stating he just hadn’t got around to renewing his license, a similar claim made by the equestrian outfitters, the State still took far more aggressive action against him and reportedly other guides.

“Oregon Beach Rides was issued the $200 civil penalty as the records shared by OPRD who collected revenue records from the business as a contracted concessionaire showing the business was operating without an Outfitter Guide license. The guiding without a license was not observed by law enforcement, so no additional citations were issued.”

A NW Horse Report source who is a current Oregon law enforcement officer claimed that such investigations do not need to involve it being witnessed by law enforcement as OSMB claimed, but there just needs to be evidence “beyond a reasonable doubt” to convict. To even bring charges only required a lower burden of “probable cause”. He stated the financial records themselves were pretty convincing considering they were submitted by Winters and the company, and there would have been plenty of witnesses including park officials.

Outfitters following the rules and are upset with the enforcement say this is just one of many examples that show that the actual enforcement action has been unfair and continues to allow illegal equestrian outfitters an unfair advantage, an advantage which OSP itself has claimed the outfitting laws are intended to prevent.

When offered some comparisons and why Oregon Beach Rides and Green Acres Beach & Trial Rides have not faced further action, Brian Paulsen with OSMB appeared to place blame with the Tillamook County District attorney, referencing other unknown investigations by Oregon State Police.

“As to Green Acres Beach & Trail Rides, we have had County and State law enforcement officers investigate their operation, only to have the Tillamook County DA’s office refuse to take the case to court.”

Tillamook County District Attorney William Porter categorically denied Paulsen’s implications when speaking several months ago with NW Horse Report, saying that there had only been one case brought before his office, a case which was investigated not by OSP but by the sheriff’s office involving Green Acres Beach & Trial Rides which was not initiated by OSMB. Porter made clear that his office can only work off the cases that are brought to him by their law enforcement partners.

It appeared Tillamook Deputy District Attorney Paul Binford dismissed the one case in March of 2020 after the owners of Green Acres indicated it was a simple oversight, although the company ended up going another several months while operating before getting licensed. It was discovered that the companies owner had provided false statements regarding it’s insurance coverage shortly after the citation.

Paulsen also went on to say, “We work closely with our state and federal partners to increase compliance with all of our regulations, but the number of districts and regions for the agencies across the state with differing management practices leaves room for gaps and oversight over some aspects of guide regulations.

NW Horse Report is currently awaiting for additional information and records to determine if OPRD has conducted any audits of Oregon Beach Ride’s revenue reports as provided in the company’s contract with the State of Oregon.

This is part of a serious of ongoing stories titled Shadow Outfitting, part of our investigation into illegal equestrian outfitters across the Pacific Northwest.

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PeaceHealth Doctor in Oregon convicted of Animal Neglect, further allegations of neglecting horses

NW Horse Report Staff

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November 6, 2022

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PeaceHealth Doctor in Oregon convicted of Animal Neglect, further allegations of neglecting horses

Eugene, Ore. – According to court records, a Eugene area doctor has been convicted of first-degree animal neglect in connection with her care of multiple dogs, although new allegations of neglect have arisen following the woman’s surrender of nearly a dozen horses. NW Horse Report has confirmed the woman as Dr. Christy Horton, who works for PeaceHealth, a non-profit healthcare system with numerous operations in Oregon and elsewhere.

An unnamed staff member at Peace Harbor Medical Center in Florence, Oregon, confirmed Horton currently works at the facility but was not scheduled to be back at work until Wednesday. A page on the official website for PeachHealth lists a Christy A. Horton MD.

The page further stated, “[Horton] comes to us after a year with Mid Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles, Oregon. Prior to that, she worked as an emergency physician at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue, Washington, as well as being the Medical Director for King County (Seattle) Medical Services.”

The fact Horton is working as a physician has many citizens– and those familiar with Horton– up-in-arms, especially since this isn’t Horton’s first time being the subject of animal cruelty allegations or charges which span multiple states over the last two decades.

Addendum to the conviction judgment document against Dr. Christy Horton in November of 2022.

Horton faced criminal charges of animal neglect in 2005 in Kent County, Washington, but failed to appear for a hearing. This resulted in Horton being a fugitive from justice for over a decade after a warrant was issued for her arrest, with numerous warrants being reissued until around 2016. The case event log shows it was eventually dismissed without prejudice, apparently to simply remove it from an active case log for King County Prosecutors.

Court records show that on November 1st, Horton pleaded guilty in Eugene Municipal Court in a completely new and separate case to one count of Animal Neglect in the 1st Degree– an apparent part of a plea deal that resulted in multiple other charges being dropped and Horton facing 1-year of probation. Some of the specific details were not immediately available, but multiple sources familiar with the case indicated that Horton was charged in connection with her neglect of numerous Great Danes.

As part of her plea deal, Horton had to surrender all domestic animals on October 16th, including nearly a dozen horses that were located at an additional residence owned by Horton located in Mapleton, just east of Florence in western Lane County. She cannot own dogs for 5-years, or any other animal for 1-year.

It was then discovered that the horses also appeared to have been mistreated, with some receiving body scores of 2 by a Portland area veterinarian. The horses were formally transferred by authorities in Eugene into the care of Gresham-based Sound Equine Options, a 501(c)(3) horse rescue who is known for assisting law enforcement on these cases.

The incident eventually led to several out of state horse breeders in multiple states– who sold young horses to Horton– learning of the situation. Several expressed their displeasure with SEO for having placed the animals in several homes without first providing them an opportunity to have the horses back, some going as far as alleging such handling was “illegal”.

One of the horses that had previously been in the case of Dr. Christy Horton, shortly after it was surrender from her property in Mapleton, Oregon. Photo Courtesy of Sound Equine Options.

NW Horse Report spoke to some of the former owners of the horses, who expressed their own emotions to the entire situation. While upset with SEO, it eventually appeared that they understand that SEO handled the situation according to normal practice, in accordance with the law, despite this not being their desired outcome.

An attorney familiar with animal and property law, who wished to remain unnamed, confirmed that SEO and law enforcement would not have been under any obligation, nor was it common practice, to just return animals to former owners. “In this case, they are former owners, which would mean they no longer had any rights to the animals in question.” said the attorney.

“Even if there were any return clauses in a civil contract, the seizure of the animals by law enforcement in accordance with Oregon law would almost certainly trump such provisions. The former owners may still have a civil case to bring against the individual they sold to, but not against law enforcement, the rescues, or adopters.

Countless individuals, including another well known Oregon equine attorney, came to SEO’s defense on posts viewed on social media. One thing was clear, people on both sides were still upset with Horton’s neglect of the dogs and horses. Many of the individuals who came to the defense of SEO further expressed their take to the numerous out-of-state breeders and former owners– that the issue is the lack of enforcement and prosecution in certain parts of the state.

The bulk of the posts on social media have since been removed.

Lane County Animal Services (LCAS) itself has been facing scrutiny for years in connection with it’s handling of equine and livestock investigations, but it is unclear their level of involvement in Horton’s case. It is unclear if Horton could still face new charges in connection with the neglect of the horses, considering they were surrendered as part of her plea deal in the conviction for neglecting several dogs.

The current case leading to the conviction last week of Horton was handled by Eugene Animal Control investigators who are part of the Eugene Police Department. While it was not yet clear why, investigators brought the charges to the Eugene City Attorney instead of the Lane County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Public documents that outlined and documented the horses transferred from the City of Eugene to Sound Equine Options in connection to the plea deal surrender by Dr. Cristy Horton.

Some municipal courts have authority to prosecute certain misdemeanor level offenses in Oregon. In some cases, animal neglect in the first and second degrees can be classified as a felony in Oregon, but only in certain circumstances outlined in ORS 167.325 and 167.330.

Executive Director of SEO, Kim Mosiman, who is appointed the non-profit’s Board of Directors, spoke with NW Horse Report early Sunday to provide details as to the conditions of the horses, “All of the horses are being cared for and recovering as well as can be expected. Two of the horses face serious medical conditions that we are doing all we can to remedy or monitor. We want to thank the generous adopters who were willing to take on horses sight unseen that likely needed extra care.” said Mosiman.

SEO stated in a Sunday Facebook post the following details about the horses, “One horse with a body condition score (BCS) of 4, one BCE 3.5, five horses with a BCS of 3, one horse with a BCS of 2.5 and three horses with a BCS of 2. One horse has a large untreated ulcer on her eye that was 3 to 5 days old, several tired and lethargic horses, MANY horses’ hooves were in very bad condition and did not look like they had received proper farrier care, one mare with a known serious heart condition that was already heavily in foal, two other mares in foal, one of which had a 2.5 body score and feet with white line disease and one skinny 4 to 5 year old mare who was severely lame on a front foot and had stifle issues in behind that were likely caused by lack of normal movement for a long period of time.”

In addition to the criminal charges going back to 2005, in 2017 there was a resurgence of public outcry from citizens in Lane County who attempted to blow the whistle on Horton’s alleged care and negligence of numerous other animals and livestock. Allegations have included that Horton has allowed feral dogs to attack and even kill some cows.

Amanda Hendricks, a Florence woman who was familiar with the 2017 incidents, claimed that LCAS officials simply demanded that Horton take her last live cow to auction or face a fine. She then alleges that Horton eventually got a cow again that was “brutally attacked by [Horton’s] great Danes.” Hendricks had video on social media showing was is alleged to be severe injury to the cow.

Several sources claimed that LCAS officials are no stranger to the complaints and allegations against Horton in recent years.

A media & communications official for PeaceHealth spoke with NW Horse Report briefly on Saturday, but declined to answer any questions and said they would follow-up at least confirm if Horton did indeed work for them. The official stated PeaceHealth would likely not answer any other questions.

The official did not follow-up prior to press time, leading NW Horse Report to provide several questions late Saturday which have also gone without any further response. One of the questions posed to Peace Health included if the organization had been aware of Horton’s charges in Washington State, and if they had ever had any reports from citizens concerning allegations of animal neglect during the time of her employment.

Shortly after the story went to press on Sunday, the official did respond to NW Horse Report, “Like I said before, it’s unlikely we’ll have a statement regarding a staff members private legal matters.”

It was also unclear if PeaceHealth would have been aware of the past warrants for Horton upon conducting any standard background check which is assumed to be standard practice for healthcare facilities. NW Horse Report has asked the communications official more generally about conducting nationwide background checks of their employees and is awaiting a response.

The Oregon Medical Board (OMB) could not be reached over the weekend for any comment. NW Horse Report was also unable to reach Dr. Horton by phone over the weekend seeking any comment as well.

This is a developing story that NW Horse Report is breaking and will continue to keep our readers up to date on. Remember that you can count on us for the latest equestrian related news within the northwest.

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NW HORSE REPORTPart of Equestrian Media Group

NW HORSE REPORTPart of Equestrian Media Group

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