Image
© Marion County Sheriff's OfficeAs many as 40 sheep were found dead at a field in Turner. A cause of death has not been determined, July 1, 2013
Turner, Ore. (KOIN) - Since the 1950s, Eztel Farms has been raising sheep on a 200-acre property near Turner but over the weekend as many as 40 sheep died in their field.

Neighbor Floyd Noel said the dead sheep brought in pests like buzzards and flies, but the stench was the worst part, he said.

His wife called the sheriff's deputies to the farm when she said she heard strange noises and saw some sheep stumbling around and falling at the property on Little Road SE.

The deputies found between 30 and 40 dead sheep on about 80 acres of land, but also noticed more than 200 sheep grazing in the field.

The temperature at the time was in the mid-90s and one deputy noticed a protein-based soy supplement in the field, officials said.

Neighbors said they have long been concerned about the care of the sheep and conditions turned fatal as temperatures climbed into the 90s.

The property's caretaker, David Etzel II, was contacted and made arrangements for the dead sheep to be removed. Deputies said he told them he lives nearby and cares for the animals for his grandfather.

He told KOIN 6 News they've never had a massive sheep death like this before.

"We're trying to keep them picked up," he said.

He said they've been doing the same things on the farm since it began, and Etzel took some of the dead sheep to Oregon State University to be tested for a cause of death.

The case is under investigation and the Marion County District Attorney's office will decide if any charges need to be filed.