By Marsha Chrest | Development Program Manager
A Columbia County jury last week convicted two local residents of more than 120 counts of animal neglect in relation to a commercial cattle operation. The unanimous conviction on all counts marks the end of one of the longest and most complex animal trials in the history of the Oregon Humane Society.
The defendants, William Holdner and Jane Baum, possessed 170 cattle that were seized during a joint operation by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and OHS in the summer of 2012. Veterinarians found many of the cattle to be severely underweight and others to be suffering from serious illnesses.
After a three-week long trial, a jury convicted Holdner on October 3 of 16 counts of first degree animal neglect and 79 counts of second-degree neglect. Baum was convicted of one count of first-degree neglect and 26 counts of second-degree neglect. Holdner and Baum face up to one year in jail and a $6,250 fine for each first-degree count, and six months of jail and a $2,500 fine for each count of neglect in the second degree. Sentencing is set for December 5.
Your donation to OHS supports the work of OHS Humane Officers who investigate animal crimes daily and work with law enforcement agencies across Oregon. OHS receives no tax dollars.
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