The quiet town of Brewster, Washington, became the epicenter of a disturbing animal welfare crisis this week, as the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) seized 50 animals and discovered numerous dead livestock on a property following an animal abuse investigation. The investigation began on Oct. 8 when an animal rescue worker delivering dog food to a property on Highway 97 reported emaciated dogs, horses, and goats.
Following the initial complaint, an animal rescue organization worked with the property owners, who voluntarily surrendered 12 dogs and agreed to allow a veterinarian to examine their horses and a donkey. The owners suggested the animals’ conditions might be related to age or an unknown medical issue. When the veterinarian and rescue workers returned on Oct. 23, two horses were missing. The owners surrendered one horse needing urgent care but refused to surrender other animals, prompting the Sheriff’s Office to seek a search warrant.
Fifty animals were seized, and numerous dead animals were found on a property in Brewster, a town in Okanogan County, on Monday following animal abuse complaints.https://t.co/CLCur4tapR
Animals Seized and Dead Discovered
After executing a search warrant on Oct. 29, OCSO seized 50 animals from the Highway 97 property, including two dogs, 26 goats, five horses, one donkey, six ducks, and 10 chickens. The owners also voluntarily surrendered two additional dogs, while two small dogs and one service animal were allowed to remain. As part of the search, officials located four deceased horses, two deceased dogs, one deceased cow, one deceased calf, and many deceased chickens at different stages of decay.
Second Warrant Seizes Neglected Horses
On Nov. 2, a second search warrant was served by OCSO at a property situated on Highway 173 in Brewster, with support from animal rescue volunteers and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The two horses that had been absent from the first location were found at this site. A vet evaluated both and determined they were suffering from extreme neglect, resulting in their confiscation for treatment.
Ongoing Investigation and Cooperation
Animal abuse investigations involving large numbers of animals can be complex and require significant coordination and resources,
the OCSO stated. The sheriff’s office expressed gratitude to the animal rescue organizations, the Omak Police Department’s Animal Control Officer, and Washington Fish and Wildlife for their assistance. The investigation remains active, and the owners are facing possible charges.
Fifty animals were seized and numerous dead animals were found on a property in Brewster, Okanogan County on Monday following animal abuse complaints. The first complaint came Oct. 8 from a rescue worker who visited the property to deliver dog food. https://t.co/iydzsyGent
