LISBON — The Columbiana County Humane Society responded to a farm in Lisbon where multiple animals were found deceased and several others were seized.

Columbiana County Humane Agent Fabian Pike said he was called to a Lisbon farm on Thursday by the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office after dead animals were observed on the property. Pike said that after he obtained consent from the property owner to search the site, he located more dead animals on the property which had frozen to death.

“She said she got overwhelmed during the winter storm, and the animals perished during the winter storm,” said Pike.

Thirteen deceased animals were located on the property in total: four goats, three geese, three chickens, one possum, one pig and one turkey. The humane society seized all remaining live animals from the property. The 19 animals seized included: seven chickens, five cats, two dogs, one snake, one pig, one goat, one rooster and one gander. Pike confirmed that as of Monday afternoon all the livestock had been successfully adopted out to new homes, while the companion animals were still with the humane society.

Pike said that while humane cases can be difficult to bring to trial and prosecute, the property owner had complied with the investigation and provided a confession which expedited the typical process.

“Because she confessed what had been done and what happened to them, it was a very open and shut case,” said Pike.

Pike said that due to the confession, no autopsies were required, and the investigation was officially complete. Pike said charges for animal cruelty and neglect would be filed for all deceased animals, and that 13 counts of animal cruelty would be filed against the property owner for the deceased livestock. He also said that potential further charges were being reviewed based on the condition of the living animals.

“When I confronted the individual, I said I’m not here to judge you, I’m just here to find out what happened to the animals. If I need to be here and investigate for the next 30 days, I can do that, but it would be a lot easier if you just tell me the truth. I’m not your judge, I just set up the meeting,” said Pike.

While Pike said that he could not release the exact address, he confirmed that the farm is located on Scroggs Road.