DEER PARK, Wash., Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Officials in Spokane County, Wash., said animal neglect is suspected following the discovery of more than 160 dead animals at a barn.
Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service officials said in addition to the discovery of the dead animals at a barn in Deer Park, Wash., officers found nearly 200 abandoned animals starving in locked cages, KXLY-TV, Spokane, Wash., reported.
"The officer found mostly dead birds, a few alive, no food or water. Conditions ... the pens not very clean," SCRAPS official Nancy Hill said of last Friday's discovery.
Hill said after the barn's renter, whose identity was not released, failed to respond to a notice, the starving animals were removed from the property during the execution of a search warrant.
"The ones that were alive were very happy to have food and water, went right for it," Hill said of food offered to the rescued animals.
KXLY said the owner of the animals could face felony animal cruelty charges if investigators determine such charges are warranted.
