Horses, dogs and cats rescued

FRUITLAND -- The Idaho Humane Society and Payette County Sheriff's deputies seized dozens of neglected animals from a farm in Fruitland Friday morning.

Authorities removed 11 horses, 18 dogs and 3 cats from a farm at 6525 Highway 95.

The Payette County Sheriff says living quarters in the home were filthy and complete disarray.

A three-year-old boy was taken into custody by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

Crystal Whitehead, 26, and Casey Armstrong, 23, are facing several charges including cruelty to animals, failure to obtain a kennel license, failure to license a pit bull, importing animals without a permit and child endangerment. The sheriff plans to turn the case over to the county prosecutor for review. Formal charges would be forthcoming.

Idaho Humane Society Executive Director Jeff Rosenthal said Whitehead has a prior history of animal abuse in Idaho and California.

All the animals were severly undernourished and in poor health, according to the sheriff.

Deputies began their investigation last month after receiving reports of horses on the loose and discovered the unsanitary conditions on the farm.

Whitehead and Armstrong just took up residence at the Fruitland farm in October after moving from Bannock County.