Belgrade Police Department helped rescue animals, sheriff's office says

Animal Control units from the Bozeman and Belgrade Police Departments assisted in the removal and transport of eight horses, two donkeys, one cow, eleven dogs, eight guinea hens, and one cat, according to a Friday press release from the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff's deputies and animal control units participated in the execution of a search warrant on April 29 in the Clarkston area following an investigation into suspected animal cruelty. During the search of the property and associated outbuildings, deputies located numerous animals in severe states of neglect, according to the press release.

"All livestock found alive were severely emaciated," reads the release. "A local veterinarian conducted an initial on‑site medical assessment and determined that the animals were suffering from malnutrition, dehydration, and severely neglected hooves."

The Sheriff’s Office Mounted Patrol helped secure and movie "extremely untrained and unruly horses, which had to be pursued on foot and caught by hand throughout sloped pastureland," according to the press release.

"Deputies also discovered the carcasses of one horse, one cow, and one dog," reads the release.

Miguel Lopez and Jewels Lynch were arrested and charged with cruelty to animals.

"The Sheriff’s Office is thankful for the support of the numerous agencies, veterinarians, businesses, and the broader Clarkston community for their assistance in the completion of this investigation and in establishing care for the affected animals," reads the release.