Clackamas County Sheriff’s deputies raided a Colton, Oregon home on Friday and arrested a woman accused of seriously neglecting her four horses, one of which has died.
According to a news release, April Punley had been investigated four previous times by the sheriff’s office for possible animal neglect.
Deputies received a tip in March of this year regarding possible animal abuse, and a subsequent investigation lead to an examination by a veterinarian who gave clear instructions for treatment of the horses. Punley agreed to get proper treatment for her animals, but allegedly did not. Since that time, one of the hoses died and the others remain in poor condition.
April Punley (inset) is accused of animal abuse for allegedly allowing her horses to become seriously emaciated and go untreated for ailments. One horse died. CCSO photos
Deputy Gunther reported the horses were tied to trees on Punley’s 103-acre property without access to water or food other than nearby weeds or ferns. Although she has since been released, Punley was arrested for second-degree animal abuse and booked into Clackamas County Jail.
Because Punley’s residence had no water, power, or telephone, Department of Human Services placed her four-year-old autistic son into protective custody.