Update on Popeye, the Horse Owned by a Latah County Deputy

Since our original post in August 2025, Popeye, the horse owned by a Latah County Sheriff’s Deputy and his wife, has been moved to another nearby property. The owners have not shared a reason for the move.

Community members who recognize Popeye have continued to check on him and share updates about his condition. After our first post and the Sheriff’s Office response, we received multiple messages from concerned residents and individuals identifying themselves as Latah County employees.

A senior gelding named Popeye, once thriving under proper care, is now at the heart of a deepening animal neglect controversy in Latah County, Idaho. Animal advocates and rescue groups allege that Popeye’s prolonged malnourishment and untreated medical issues have been repeatedly reported to authorities and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, only to be dismissed, ignored, or explained away. The horse’s owner is married to a Latah County Sheriff’s Deputy, raising serious concerns about conflict of interest and impartiality.

Spring is often celebrated as "puppy season" in the world of animal rescue—a time when we brace ourselves for an influx of litters needing homes, fosters, and care. But here in Idaho, this season carries another, more sobering reality: gunshot season.

Conner Jacobson Offered Minimal Penalties in Latah County Animal Cruelty Case