Exclusive: Camera rolls as irate woman confronts deputies who seize sick horses

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Story Published: Oct 15, 2008 at 10:52 PM MDT

Story Updated: Dec 18, 2008 at 4:01 PM MDT

By Nate Eaton

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FREMONT CO. - An angry woman confronted Fremont County deputies as they were seizing malnourished horses Wednesday morning.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News was the only station on the scene as Sara Bunner became irate, grabbed the news camera, and was arrested and charged with one misdemeanor count of battery on an officer and one misdemeanor count of obstructing an officer.

The Fremont County Sheriff's Office was on Joseph Bunner's property because of complaints received about malnourished horses. The investigation began in July.

Deputies called in animal experts who all agreed the horses needed help.

For the past three months, the sheriff's office has been working with the Bunner's to get the animals better but when things didn't change, something had to be done.

Wednesday morning, Eyewitness News reporter Nate Eaton went with deputies, the Department of Agriculture, the state veterinarian and a brand inspector as they seized four of the twenty two horses living at the property.

Channel 3 stayed on the public street during the entire episode. Sara Bunner charged at the camera and deputies had to restrain her.

Before the confrontation, we asked Bunner to talk with us on camera and give her side of the story. She said she would but ended up getting arrested.

The horses were taken to a horse shelter where they are being cared for.

Bunner was released from jail Wednesday afternoon. She told the sheriff they owned the horse with the foot problem, then sold it, and the owner returned it to them unhealthy. She said they never got around to helping the animal.

To watch the confrontation, click on the VIDEO link above.

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