Goat dairy operator pleads guilty to neglect
Published 9:00 am Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Aaron Thomas Barr pleaded guilty to 28 felony counts and three misdemeanor counts of second degree animal neglect in connection with investigations at the former Grand Barr goat dairy near Nyssa, Ore.
According to an Oct. 14 petition to plead guilty in Malheur County Circuit Court, Barr agreed to 36 months of supervised probation, 200 hours of community service, not possessing or living with animals, not owning or working in a commercial livestock operation, completing an animal rehabilitative curriculum within a year, and paying $25,935.68 in restitution jointly with Taunia Barr.
The state will dismiss all remaining charges against him.
The prohibition on possessing domestic animals and goats applies for 15 years following entry of conviction, and counsel may argue for relief, according to the petition.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals vice president Dan Paden said in a statement that PETA thanks the court and Oregon DOJ for “throwing the book at this abuser, who should never be allowed to set foot near another animal. Grand Barr Dairy left sick, emaciated goats to suffer and die in filth.”
Background
A county grand jury in late February indicted Aaron and Taunia Barr following two PETA undercover investigations.
Aaron Barr was charged with 246 counts of animal neglect in the second degree. Counts 1-239 were felony charges, counts 240-46 misdemeanor charges, according to his indictment.
Taunia Barr is charged with one count of animal neglect in the first degree and 245 counts of animal neglect in the second degree. Counts 1-239 are felony charges, counts 240-46 misdemeanor charges, according to a separate indictment.
Taunia Barr’s plea hearing is scheduled for Jan. 6 and Aaron Barr’s sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 10, the Argus Observer reported.
The Malheur County Sheriff’s Office executed a seizure warrant Feb. 4. The county requested assistance from the Oregon Department of Justice, which has a prosecutor dedicated to animal abuse cases.
Investigators documented 239 goats on the Grand Barr property. Three of the goats were euthanized under a veterinarian’s supervision. The sheriff’s office sent the rest to a dairy and the Humane Farming Association sanctuary, both in California.
The court on April 1 granted the state’s petition for forfeiture of the goats.