Richland Man Faces Nine Animal Neglect II Charges in Baker County

Robert Richard Ward III, 47, of Richland, was charged Jan. 23 with nine counts of Animal Neglect II after Baker County Sheriff’s Office deputies removed a dozen dogs from his Summit Creek Road property near New Bridge. The removal and the subsequent warrant follow a December arrest that left the defendant in custody and prompted neighbors to raise alarms about animals left at the home.

Deputies removed 12 medium-sized, mixed-breed dogs from Ward’s residence on Dec. 26, the day after Christmas. In a Baker County Sheriff’s Office press release, deputies wrote: “Upon arrival [of deputies], it was clear the conditions of the residence were unsuitable for the dogs living there. The living conditions were described as deplorable, with an overwhelming smell of pet urine and feces.” Sheriff Ash then submitted a report to Baker County District Attorney Greg Baxter’s office, which led to the nine-count warrant.

The nine counts of Animal Neglect II are second-degree animal neglect and are classified as Class B misdemeanors. Baker County District Attorney Greg Baxter issued the charging warrant on Jan. 23, and a BCSO deputy served it while Ward was already lodged in the Baker County Jail. Ward was first booked on Dec. 23 after an Oregon State Police trooper arrested him following a one-car crash on Highway 86 about 18 miles east of Baker City.

Trooper Cody Bennett’s probable cause affidavit recounts Ward telling officers he had fallen asleep while driving his dog to a Baker City veterinary clinic. Dispatcher information conveyed to Trooper Bennett at the scene indicated Ward had failed to register as a sex offender and that Gem County, Idaho, held an outstanding warrant for possession of a controlled substance, driving under the influence of intoxicants, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bennett wrote that he told Ward the only option was to bring the dog to Baker City in his patrol car along with Ward. Ward “got upset and called 911 demanding that they send out another vehicle for [a] critically wounded animal,” Bennett wrote. Bennett wrote that he told Ward to hang up his cellphone but Ward refused; Bennett then took the phone from Ward and handcuffed him. Ward’s dog was taken to a veterinary clinic in the back of a Baker County Sheriff’s Office pickup.

While in custody on the Dec. 23 booking, Ward was held on $35,000 bail; reporting indicated he could be released by posting 10 percent of that amount. Authorities also held Ward on additional matters including Failure to Report as a Sex Offender, Improper Use of 911, and as a fugitive on the Gem County, Idaho, warrant.

A notable discrepancy remains: deputies removed 12 dogs, but prosecutors filed nine counts of Animal Neglect II. Baker City reporting noted “each charge is related to an individual dog,” but sources do not explain why nine counts were filed despite 12 animals being removed. Baker County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s office have been identified in records as the primary agencies handling the case; further clarification from the DA and BCSO about the disposition of all 12 dogs and the charging decision is pending.

For neighbors on Summit Creek Road and across Baker County, the case underscores the roles of community reporting and interagency cooperation — from Oregon State Police to the sheriff’s office and the district attorney — in addressing animal welfare and public safety. Readers can expect further updates as Baker County officials release charging documents, animal intake records, and court scheduling information.