Former Malheur Co. dairy operator sentenced following 31 counts of neglect
By Logan Bagett on Tuesday, October 20th, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories
NYSSA — A former operator of the Grand Barr Dairy out of Nyssa has agreed to a plea deal in an animal neglect case. Aaron Barr pleaded guilty in Malheur County Circuit Court to 31 counts of animal neglect—28 of those being felony charges. Court documents show that Barr is prohibited from possessing or residing with animals for 15 years, and he is prohibited from owning, operating or working on a commercial livestock operation. In addition, Barr was ordered to pay $25,935.68 in restitution and serve 36 months of supervised probation, which includes 200 hours of community service.
Grand Barr Dairy co-operator Taunia Barr’s plea hearing is scheduled for January 6, 2027.
PETA’s Senior Director of Media Relations Moira Colley stated, “Barr’s indictment on 239 felony charges of animal neglect and seven misdemeanors was the result of two PETA undercover investigations revealing goats at Grand Barr Dairy were left to suffer from burst abscesses, overgrown hooves, stomach ailments, lameness so severe and painful that they were forced to walk on their knees or limp, and other debilitating ailments, as well as dead goats left to rot.”
Following those investigations, more than 230 goats were seized from the dairy by law enforcement. Three of those goats “…had to be euthanized due to their severe condition,” according to Colley. She also noted the surviving goats have been placed into sanctuaries.
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