A California woman has been taken into custody stemming from a case where she allegedly starved 17 horses in Columbia Falls and the surrounding Flathead Valley.

Cynthia Jean Hamilton, 68 of Norco, California is charged with aggravated animal cruelty and is currently in the Flathead County Detention Center.

On Sept. 19 Flathead County Animal Control was dispatched to a residence in the Columbia Falls area for an animal cruelty complaint involving several horses. Initial observation by responding animal wardens led them to believe the 5 horses were not being fed adequately, the Sheriff’s Department said in a release.

In the course of their investigation, information was gathered indicating there were likely more horses belonging to the same owner being pastured at other address around Flathead County. While following up on this information wardens located 17 horses in total, all in very poor condition. It was reported that one horse may have died prior to the initial report, the Sheriff’s office said.

Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office applied for and were granted a search warrant for the pastures and subsequently seized 17 horses in various stages of starvation and other health issues. The animals are currently in the care of Flathead County Animal Control.

These types of cases, no matter what kind of animal, places a strain on the resources Flathead County agencies currently have in regards to care for seized animals, the Sheriff said. This group of horses need grass hay or light alfalfa grass hay. If anyone is able to donate please email us at horses@flathead.mt.gov indicating what you are willing to donate.