2 Charged With Nearly 50 Counts Of Animal Abuse In Lincoln County

A mother and daughter have been charged with nearly 50 counts of animal abuse in Lincoln County.

Working together, in late July, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and non-profit Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue helped rescue 70 malnourished animals. 

Mother and daughter Lisa and Madeline Zumstein were arrested and charged.

“They have filed 49 charges of animal abuse,” said Bennett.

Investigators started getting calls from concerned neighbors back in March, but despite repeated warnings from deputies, investigators said the animals' living conditions and care never improved.

“Mid-July is when we returned and decided we needed to take action,” said Lincoln County Sheriff's deputy Sgt. Aaron Bennett with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

Inside a dilapidated fence line, near their owner's Wellston home, Bennett found more than 70 farm animals clinging to life.

“There were signs of bark and leaves off the trees, there were amounts of trash that the horses were trying to eat,” said Bennett.

Investigators said two cows that were unable to stand were immediately euthanized by a responding vet.

“She stated they appeared they had been there quite a while, suffering,” said Bennett.

Bennett said most of the starving animals were filled with parasites, and that their ribs and hip bones were visible.

Investigators said the 73 animals were cramped while living on ten acres.

“From the people I spoke with, that’s way too many animals for such a small amount of land,” said Bennett.

Investigators said most of the animals had little to no access to water or food. 

“The owners stated at one point the price of hay had gone up,” said Bennett.            

The animals are now in the care of Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue, a nonprofit.

“They showed up, they had numerous volunteers, about 20 people and roughly ten trucks with trailers and they did every bit of it,” said Bennett.

Veterinary expenses alone are expected to cost around $10,000. If you'd like to help with expenses you can donate through PayPal or Venmo.

Venmo: @blazestribute-equinerescue

PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/blazesequine