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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Two wheels to freedom: Phoenix camp helps kids with disabilities learn to ride ... Rocker's old house vaults Williams into the spotlight ... Mail Tribune garners 11 first-place wins at ONPA ... Two wheels to freedom: Phoenix camp helps kids with disabilities learn to ride ... Rocker's old house vaults Williams into the spotlight ... Mail Tribune garners 11 first-place wins at ONPA ... ANIMAL CRUELTY Alpaca rancher gets 3 years for neglecting them Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Dec. 24, 2014 at 2:58 PM By The Associated Press Posted Dec. 24, 2014 at 2:58 PM » Social News SALEM — The owner of a Willamette Valley alpaca ranch has been sentenced to three years in prison for neglecting a herd of more than 200 animals, many of which died. Robert Silver also was ordered to pay more than $15,000 in restitution with his wife, Jocelyn Silver, the Salem Statesman Journal reported. She previously pleaded guilty to neglect charges and was sentenced to three years of probation. He was convicted earlier this month. In December 2013, complaints from neighbors twice brought sheriff's deputies and veterinarians to the couple's 20-acre property at Falls City in the Coast Range. They removed the bodies of 58 dead alpacas and then moved 175 malnourished animals to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University for emergency care. About 150 of the alpacas survived and were adopted. Robert Silver apologized in court Tuesday, but Polk County Judge Norman Hill said he hadn't before shown remorse. Silver's "position was that there was nothing wrong," Hill said. "He did nothing to try and remedy the situation. He didn't offer to clean up. He didn't offer to do anything." By contrast, he said, Jocelyn Silver was remorseful, had helped clean up the situation and was commended by animal rescuers who helped the alpacas. Hill also said he'd taken into account 15-year-old theft and assault charges against Silver and Silver's control of the money for alpaca feed. His lawyer has said that Silver used an inheritance to start an alpaca ranch his wife wanted, but the alpaca market collapsed and their money ran out.. Alpacas are South American animals whose fleece is prized. Critics have said their introduction to the United States in recent decades touched off a boom and bust in the market for breeding animals. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Dec. 24, 2014 at 2:58 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501