50 animals seized, numerous found dead in Okanogan County abuse investigation

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.

The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) received its first animal abuse complaint Oct. 8 from an animal rescue worker who had visited the Highway 97 property to deliver dog food, authorities announced.

While visiting, the worker noticed the poor conditions of several animals, such as dogs, horses, and goats, describing some as emaciated.

After the initial complaint, the organization worked with the animal owners to address the concerns, resulting in 12 dogs being voluntarily surrendered. The owners also agreed to have each horse and a donkey examined by a veterinarian free of charge after it was found that the animals’ condition may have been related to an unknown medical issue or age.

On Oct. 23, the veterinarian and animal rescue worker returned to the property to conduct examinations; it was learned that two of the horses were no longer on the property. Exams were completed on the remaining animals.

The owners surrendered one of the horses in need of urgent care, but were not willing to consider additional surrenders.

“Due to the exigency and condition of the remaining animals on the property and the inability to reach further cooperation with the owners and their unwillingness to surrender any further animals, the Sheriff’s Office applied for and was granted a search warrant,” OCSO stated.

Investigators find dead animals in various stages of decomposition in Brewster

After the search warrant was executed, 50 animals were seized from the property, including two dogs, 26 goats, five horses, one donkey, six ducks, and 10 chickens. OCSO noted that two other dogs were also voluntarily surrendered.

Two small dogs and one service animal remained at the residence.

“Animal abuse investigations involving large numbers of animals can be complex and require significant coordination and resources,” OCSO stated. “These cases often involve coordination between law enforcement, veterinary professionals, and animal rescue organizations to ensure the animals receive appropriate care and are safely removed when necessary.”

Additionally, the investigation discovered four dead horses, “numerous” dead chickens, two dead dogs, a dead cow, and a dead calf. The sheriff’s office stated that the dead animals were in various stages of decomposition.

On Monday, OCSO served another search warrant at another property on Highway 173 in Brewster, this time with the assistance of animal rescue volunteers and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. OCSO located the two horses that were seemingly removed from the previous property.

Both horses were examined by a veterinarian and found to be in severely neglected condition, necessitating additional veterinary care. The horses were ultimately seized and are currently receiving care to address their neglect.

“The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office extends its appreciation to the several animal rescue organizations whose efforts and continued attempts to work with the animal owners helped bring this matter forward,” authorities stated. “We also appreciate the assistance provided by the Omak Police Department’s Animal Control Officer, Washington Fish and Wildlife, and those who assisted the execution of the search warrants.”

The investigation remains active.

Follow Jason Sutich on X. Send news tips here.