A Virginia woman has been indicted on several counts of embezzlement stemming from an animal cruelty investigation that began last year.

In October 2015, the Orange County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office began investigating conditions at Peaceable Farm, near Somerset. During the probe, authorities discovered a herd of 89 allegedly emaciated horses, along with the remains of seven other horses. Investigators also found two donkeys, 28 cats, and seven dogs. The farm’s owner Anne Goland (also known as Anne Schumate Williams) surrendered 71 horses, along with the dogs and several cats. She retained possession of 18 horses, the two donkeys, a bull, and the remaining cats.

Veterinarians subsequently assessed all the horses and euthanized five due to their poor condition. Another 10 horses were determined to be in need of immediate veterinary care and were seized after Goland declined to surrender them. All of the seized or surrendered horses were removed from the property and placed in rehabilitative care at several horse rescues. Investigators received permission to conduct welfare checks on the animals that remained in Goland’s possession.

Goland was subsequently charged with 27 counts of animal cruelty, said Orange County Sheriff Mark Amos

Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.

TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.

Start your free account today!

Already have an account?
and continue reading.