4/24/09 Prineville
 
By Doug Johnson
 
So far it has cost over thirty four thousand dollars for Crook County to care for fourteen Powell Butte horses that authorities say were neglected. Now, before a criminal trial begins, the county is asking for a pretrial forfeiture of the animals, removing all ownership rights from the Arlington Farms Group out of California.
 
"So that we don't have to born the continuing costs of the care of these animals, whether we can adopt these animals, auction these animals off to new homes," say Sgt. Russ Wright with the Crook County Sheriff's Office.
 
During Friday's forfeiture hearing, veterinarians who checked the horses in December, March and April testified to the deteriorating condition of the animals. The vets testified the horses were malnourished, had lice, were losing hair and some had untreated wounds. During cross examination, the defense questioned if a change in diet could cause weight loss.
 
Along side the defense attorney, was Arlington Farms agent Robert Gruntz, who acted as a middle man between the ranch employees, the investment company and the horses' owner, Doctor Ritchie Stevens in Park City, Utah.
 
"They would contact him (Gruntz) for funding to obtain either medical or feed for the ranch," says Sgt. Wright.
 
KOHD tried to contact Stevens, but he did not return our call. Four ranch employees have been charged with animal neglect in this case, including 35 year old Robert Albring junior and his father Robert Albring senior.