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Beyond the gates lies a disturbing site. The remains were found by Taylor Robb, a woman who was about to sign a lease for the whole property.
SALEM TOWNSHIP, Ohio - Columbiana County agencies are investigating multiple dead horse remains found at the Pure Gold Stable in Salem.
Beyond the gates lies a disturbing site. The remains were found by Taylor Robb, a woman who was about to sign a lease for the whole property.
Her plans were to use the property to run shows, clinics, sell horses and train horses.
When visiting the property, Robb found remains of multiple horses in stables.
Heather Birkmire, the owner of the property, said she was not aware of any dead horses on the property.
A Columbiana County Sheriff and the County Humane Society shelter manager were seen talking in front of the Pure Gold Stable Sunday afternoon.
Shannon Gates, Vice President of the Columbiana County Humane Society, confirmed with 21 News that four horses were found deceased on the property.
Pictures sent to 21 News of the scene were too disturbing to show, but mostly, only some skin and bones remained.
Each of the skeletal remains were found laying inside of the horse stalls. One picture sent to 21 News shows a stable where the wood was severely chewed, with a carcass laying just below in the stable.
I asked owner Heather Birkmire about the remains. Birkmire said she was unaware of any dead horses on the property.
She also claimed Robb was allegedly taking care of the horses on the property for the last two weeks, saying Birkmire was on and off the property.
Birkmire said despite no signed contract, the understanding was Robb would feed and take care of the horses.
Sources tell us upon inspection, it looks like the horses have been in the stables for months.
Gates could not specify on how long the horses had been there, but said that she is working with veterinarians to determine a definitive timeline.
Because it is an open investigation, the Columbiana County Sheriff’s office would not comment.
Additionally, Gates told 21 News that the Columbiana County Humane Society would be working with the Columbiana County Sheriff's Office on the investigation.