Sheriff's Office Awarded $7,000 Grant from ASPCA

Grant Will Support 175 Rescued Alpacas

February 12, 2014       

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office today announced it has been awarded a $7,000 grant from the ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) to care for 175 alpacas seized during a cruelty investigation last December.

On December 13, 2013, deputies executed a search warrant at Jocelyn's Alpacas Ranch in Falls City, Ore. for a health check and found 17 deceased alpacas. Preliminary forensic reports indicated those animals had died of starvation. On December 23, 2013, deputies seized the remaining 175 live alpacas on the property. More than 40 additional animal carcasses were found and two alpacas had to be humanely euthanized due to severe medical issues.

The owners of Jocelyn's Alpacas Ranch--Jocelyn and Robert Silver--were later arraigned on identical charges of one count of felony first-degree animal neglect, one count of felony second-degree animal neglect and 16 counts of misdemeanor first-degree animal neglect.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has been feeding and caring for the 175 alpacas while disposition was being determined. On Tuesday, February 4 the alpacas were forfeited to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and veterinarians deemed the herd healthy enough to be transported. On Wednesday, February 12, the entire herd was relocated to a property owned by Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where they are receiving daily and veterinary care. Once the alpacas are deemed healthy enough, we will begin the adoption process from Oregon State University.  

The ASPCA grant funding will help offset the costs of caring for such a large herd of alpacas, including medical expenses, feed, supplements, and additional staffing. The ASPCA provides grant funding to support and assist local and national agencies in the costs associated with animal cruelty investigations and large-scale animal seizures.  

“We are proud to support the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in saving hundreds of lives,” said Justine Dang, ASPCA grants officer. “The ASPCA commends the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for taking the initiative to investigate this instance of cruelty and remove these alpacas from an appalling situation.”