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Statements from today’s joint press conference
Good afternoon, I am Diana Wheeler, Orange County Commonwealth’s Attorney, and I am here with Sheriff Mark Amos. We want to provide some factual information about the ongoing investigation of Peaceable Farms here in Somerset. As this is an ongoing investigation we cannot go into specifics at this time or take questions today. This case involves a large number of animals and a great deal of medical/veterinary information, as well as a large number of documents that are connected with the case.
We are still working our way through this information and it is a very detailed and time consuming process. We of course want to take the time and care to do this properly. I would like to address concerns that have been expressed to both my office and the Sheriff’s Office about the fact that there are animals remaining on the farm. Decisions about which animals to remove from the farm were made based on the requirements of Virginia Law in conjunction with the medical evidence of the veterinarian examining each animal. I made the decision about each animal after reviewing the medical information in accordance with the statute that controls animal seizure in the Commonwealth of Virginia. These decisions are not based on my personal feelings, but on the letter of the law. Concerns about the law’s requirements should be addressed to members of the Virginia Legislature, which is where our laws are made. Criminal charges are pending and at this time there are 27 counts of animal cruelty charged. As I said, this is an ONGOING investigation and it is anticipated that there will be additional charges as we continue to review the evidence.
Sheriff Amos will be providing you with factual information about the investigative process.
Sheriff Mark Amos:
I just want to start by thanking the volunteers, horse rescue organizations, members of my office and the Commonwealth’s Attorney Office who have worked tirelessly on this case over the last week. I would also like to thank the citizens who have so generously donated money and resources to the Orange Animal shelter and Equine Rescue Organizations! As you know we executed a search warrant on Monday, October 19, 2015 at Peaceable Farm in the Somerset area of Orange County. What we saw was one of the most horrendous sites that I have seen in my 28 years of law enforcement. We found 6 dead horses, one dead donkey, and many dead dogs, cats and chickens. A total of 5 horses were euthanized on the property and four have been euthanized since. Many of the remaining animals were in need of veterinary care. Deputies and Rescue workers worked three long days removing many animals and preserving and collecting evidence. Every horse was triaged by veterinarians to determine its body condition. The sickest horses were immediately removed from the property and sent to rescue organizations. Each horse was photographed with identifying information so we could know which horse went where. The suspect in this case is Mrs. Anne Goland. Mrs. Goland agreed to release 71 horses, 28 cats and 7 dogs without seizure. Had Mrs. Goland not voluntarily released many of them, we would have had no authority to take them from her. On Wednesday, October 21st, we noticed that the condition of some of the remaining horses had deteriorated and we had them re-evaluated by a veterinarian. Ten more horses were deemed to have an immediate threat to their lives. Mrs. Goland would not voluntarily release these horses so they were seized by law enforcement and taken off the property. After all was said and done, we removed 81 equids, 28 cats and seven dogs.
Mrs. Goland is still in possession of 18 horses, 1 bull and several cats and dogs. This agency had a tremendous amount of help from Equine Rescue Organizations, Veterinarians and local volunteers. We could not have moved that many animals from the property as quickly as we did without their help. On Friday October 23rd we were able to get permission from Mrs. Goland to come on her property to make periodic checks to see that she is properly feeding and watering the remaining animals. As for this investigation: this case is immensely large in scope. Peaceable Farm had two different operations being conducted.
One was a rescue farm with a 501c3 status and the other was the breeding of horses. Lead s we have developed over the last week have caused us to contact the IRS to assist with the income related investigation. We also received information that Mrs. Golden was maintaining a number of self storage units in Albemarle County and we searched them for evidence with the assistance of the Albemarle Count y PD and the Virginia State Police. Additionally, we have leads that will take us to other states to include both Maryland and Pennsylvania. We have submitted animal bodies for necropsies to determine cause of death and we have a number of forensic type tests that need to be performed concerning animal remains. We are currently going through every veterinary report to get a handle on the condition of each horse that we came into contact with. At this time, Mrs. Goland is in custody and arrangements have been made with a family member and friend to care for the animals that are still at the property. We have been working constantly with Mrs. Wheeler and her Office on this investigation and we are guided by her decisions as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
At the end of the day, we all want to see that justice is done. We are conduction this investigation in a thorough and methodical way and the investigation is ongoing. If anyone had specific information in this case, please contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Office at 540-672-1200.
