News Release from: Marion Co. Sheriff's Office
* UPDATE * ARREST MADE IN MALNOURISHED HORSE INVESTIGATION NEAR SILVER CREEK FALLS
Posted: June 27th, 2011 3:58 PM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2011-06/1294/45538/Robi_2.JPG (Chesnut Mare)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2011-06/1294/45538/Robi_1.JPG (Robi - side view)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2011-06/1294/45538/Robi_3.JPG (Robi's hind quarters)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2011-06/1294/45538/Audra_Bentley.JPG (Booking Photo of Bentley)
06/27/11: Update - Suspect Arrested
Working on information received from a tipster, Marion County Deputy Mike Brewster learned the location of Audra Bentley.
Ms. Bentley was the person of interest in the abandonment and neglect of two horse seized from a field in Salem on June 20th.
Assisted by Clackamas County deputies, Bentley was located at the Kings Row Motel, 12700 SE McLoughlin Blvd. in Milwaukie. Bentley provided deputies a home address in Oregon City.
She was arrested and transported back to Marion County for questioning, and then booked in the Marion County Jail on two counts of Animal Abandonment and two counts of Animal Neglect. Her bail is set at $10,000. Her next court date is June 28th at 3:00pm.
The Lighthouse Animal Sanctuary, (http://www.lighthousefarmsanctuary.org/) provided an update on the condition of the horses seized. "Robi, the buckskin mare in the worse condition, is showing signs of increased energy and activity. "We've increased the quantity of her twice-a-day feedings and she's getting stronger. I think she may pull through this", Director Wayne Geiger commented. "Cali is doing much better, but they're not out of the woods yet; they've got a long way to go. We are hopeful for a complete recovery".
The Sheriff's Office extends its appreciation to the organizations and individuals who assisted us with information leading to the arrest of Audra Bentley.
A booking photo from today's arrest is attached.
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06/23/11: Update
Deputy Tom Barber has developed a person of interest in the animal abuse investigation involving the two horses on North Fork RD SE.
The woman identified as the owner of the horses is Audra Bentley, 42. Bentley is described as a white female, 5-3, 125 brown or red hair, with hazel eyes. (Photos of Bentley are attached to this release)
She is known to frequent the area of 13th Street in Salem, and also lived in Montesano, Washington, and may have connections there. Bentley has been seen driving or riding in a gray Nissan pick up truck, unknown license.
All attempts to locate her have been unsuccessful. Anyone with information about Audra Bentley's whereabouts is encouraged to contact Deputy Barber at 503.932.6561, or call 911.
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06/20/11: Originial Release
Two abandoned and malnourished horses were seized from a field near Silver Creek Falls on Saturday afternoon.
Deputy Tom Barber was called to the field on North Fork Road SE by the owner of the property. He told them in April, 2011, he'd rented a portion of the field to a woman who owned the horses. The property owner saw that the woman, who didn't live on the property, wasn't caring for the animals. He bought food and fed them for several months, but they ultimately became more than he could handle. The property owner made several attempts to contact the horse owner but she refused his calls and ended up blocking his phone number. He also sent her a certified letter that was returned unclaimed.
The area where the horses were being kept is actually a "dog run" converted into a makeshift paddock. The area was filled with 12" deep mud and measured 15'x 40'. There was no shelter from the weather.
Both horses suffer from rain rot, mud fever, muscle loss and hoof rot. One horse is a 6-year old Buckskin mare named "Robi". She's approximately 300 plus pounds underweight. The other horse is a 3-year old Paint named "Cali". She is approximately 150 pounds underweight
"Robi" was rated a 1 on the Body Condition Scoring scale; "Cali" was rated a 2 on the scale. A score of 1 represents a malnourished condition and 9 represents an extremely overweight condition. Generally Veterinarians say the optimum score is a 5. A horse below a 5 may have fat reserves too low to maintain a healthy status. Body fat reserves are important to the overall health of the horse because the fat represents energy that can be used during periods of cold weather or stress. Horses at a 3 or below on the BCS scale have virtually no fat reserves; if more energy is needed, protein is broken down from muscle to meet energy requirements of the animal.
With the assistance of MCSO Posse Volunteer's, Debra Andal and Pamela Konstant, the horses were transported to Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary in Linn County. They are scheduled to be evaluated by Veterinarian Dr. Terry Gerros from Santiam Equine Hospital. "Robi's" condition is very grave; "Cali" is expected to survive, but the treatment will be long and costly.
Contributions may be made to the MCSO Posse, and Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary at http://www.lighthousefarmsanctuary.org/.
The investigation is ongoing. Deputy Barber is attempting to locate the horse owner and any charges against her are pending the conclusion of the Animal Abuse investigation. Her identity is being withheld until the investigation is complete.
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