On Jan. 17, around 9:45 p.m., the Wadena County Sheriff’s Office responded to an address on Wilderness Drive north of Staples for abandoned animal call.

Neighbors spotted the horse while driving past when the horse ran out of the ditch onto Wilderness Drive and they almost hit it. The horse followed them home so they tied it up in their yard.

They informed the deputy of a possible address and he went to that location and found horse tracks and droppings and it appeared that the horse had not been contained for some time.

The deputy did not observe any tracks leading from the house to the road and a gate had to be opened to gain entrance to the property. No one had seen anyone coming or going from this residence.

Also found at the residence were some dogs that also appeared to be abandoned. The dogs were fed with what provisions the Deputy found at the residence.

The horse and dogs were placed at a safe boarding area in a different location.

The deputy checked the house and it appeared as though someone had moved out, as much of the common household items were gone from the house.