KHQ TV coverage

http://www.khq.com/category/195686/video-landing-page?clipId=9865131&autostart=true

Thank you Alex and KHQ!

Pictures of the operation

One dead tethered dog inside the makeshift fence
One dead tethered dog under the trailer
Dead puppies inside the trailer in bags

Planning and working

This sweet dog was saved too.

We think this was the Mommy dog of the puppies under the trailer. What a way
to start life and give birth

The Garden Shed these people lived in with all the
little dogs and 0 water, heat or sanitation

Another victim

So many volunteers so many hours! So many days.

Trapped and taken to a safe place

Into the truck for a ride to the Humane Society

Volunteers catching dogs to get them to freedom

20 plus small dogs living in this filthy hell hole.

No septic, no running water, no electricity and NO septic.

The stench was unbelievable!  How could anyone turn the other way when they knew
how these people were living?

One of many uninhabitable structures

We found four puppies under this trailer, eyes not open yet.

There was a dead tethered dog under this as well.

More graphic pictures

More Graphic Pictures

May you all rest in peace knowing someone did care!  We chipped your frozen starved bodies out of the frozen ground so that you could be cremated.  May those who knew you were there and did nothing find Karma!

Rest in peace knowing tears were shed for you.

Run free at Rainbow Bridge

There were so many more, how can this happen in 2014?

Letter to editor Statesman Examiner week of 6.4-14

Published early June 2014

WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO MAKE A CHANGE IN STEVENS COUNTY?



In response to “We are judged by how we treat animals.”  Before reading on, visit the blog at: http://dogrescuestevenscounty.blogspot.com/ 





We have assisted in multiple Animal Abuse, Neglect, and Cruelty situations over the last seven years knowing firsthand  this isn’t  an isolated situation in  Stevens County.  Sadly, several have been on this 3-mile stretch of Highway 291.  What is happening in the rest of the 2,541 square miles?

A SC  Deputy recently mentioned he has seen much worse.  Sheriff Allen stated in an article in the Spokesman Review, “We do not go back out and check once they’ve alleviated the problem.” “It’s unfortunately the way it is.”  Really?

We learned about another situation regarding livestock tied to trees with no food or water.  An “animal abuse” complaint was about to be filed when the animals were loaded into a trailer and disappeared after a witness spoke to a Sheriff Deputy on a separate matter.

On multiple occasions the Stevens County Officials were provided information on WA. Sate law, where to receive free or low cost training and education on animal neglect, the correlation between the treatment of animals and other violent crimes, and the need to prosecute animal cruelty.  They are well aware there are multiple resources and agencies that can assist them (at little to NO charge).

In August 2009, The Humane Society of the United States reached out several times to the Sheriff’s Department to assist with the “Finley Gultch” hoarding/puppy mill of over 65 dogs.   The Sheriff’s Captain at the time did not return the HSUS calls since the people “had fallen on hard times”. Two and one half years later, in May 2012, the suffering, cruelty and neglect ended.  25 dog bodies were removed from the property and the remaining 10 dogs survived by eating the carcasses of their “crate” mates.

One call would have prevented this criminal negligence.

How many more will suffer and are suffering right now?   This mentality is unacceptable for our state and country in 2014!



Ken Holm

Nine Mile Falls, WA.

Letter to editor SE 6-17-14

In Response to:  “Unacceptable” and “We are judged” Letters to the Editor. 

Instead of moving forward, Stevens County continues to deteriorate when it comes to Animal Welfare.    In 2009, the Sheriff’s Department received 2 grants totaling  over $1 million under the Recovery Act: Assistance to Combat Crime and Drugs.  Since statistics prove that Crime and Drugs are directly related to animal cruelty, abuse, and neglect, these grants should have been provided funding.  In 2010, Spokanimal terminated their agreement after Stevens County refused to pay the bill for a high profile animal cruelty situation.  Then in 2011, the Commissioners indefinitely suspended the dog enforcement measures indefinitely.

More disturbing are pronounced statements in the Spokesman Review made by elected officials

who are responsible for funding, decision making, and strategic direction of lives in Stevens County.  Dashiell said: “80% of this County never calls the sheriff for animal control issue.  They handle it themselves. Dogs that need help usually find help.  The others, often cause problems for farmers and ranchers and those dogs are “terminated somehow.”  

Lewis County, WA, which has very similar demographics (population and square miles) as Stevens County demonstrates how local and county elected officials should respond to reports of animal neglect and cruelty.   In late April, Lewis County authorities seized 38 dogs living in “deplorable” conditions after obtaining a warrant when the owner became uncooperative.  Sheriff Steve Mansfield stated "this case highlights the partnership my office has with the Health Department. Working together resulted in swift action to ensure the animals were rescued and treated appropriately.”

Sound like the horror outside of Ford in February?  The pictures and documentation are grossly similar, only different mentalities and outcomes.    Lewis County enforced the law, while Stevens County looked the other way, animals died and elderly ladies suffered.

Maybe it’s time for some new professional individuals who aren’t afraid to tackle the tough issues, protect and serve, enforce the laws and the real “Code of the West”… “Do What Has to Be Done; Be Tough, But Fair; and Know Where to Draw the Line.”   (not one interpreted by a Colorado commissioner from a book written in the early-1900’s). 

Judy Campbell

Spokane, WA  

Scanned copy to follow when available.

Letter to Editor Statesman Examiner

This letter appeared in the issue that came out the week of 5-26-14

Remembering the real hero’s where 34+ dogs were found alive and over 12+ dead along Hwy 291, outside Ford, WA in February 2014. 

 The REAL heroes were certainly not those you would expect.  The Hero was the CASE WORKER who wouldn’t take the Sheriff Department’s answer of “we’ll see what we can do” and made the system work.  The Heroes were the MANY VOLUNTEERS who spent days and hundreds of hours on the toxic contaminated property; getting the rest of the living animals to safety and providing a proper burial for those who died.  Only to be prevented from bringing the last abandoned dog to safety.  No thanks to an angry neighbor, Jerry, who wouldn’t let volunteers get to her.  Named Sierra, she was literally within reach and irresponsibly denied a new life after allegedly being shot to death the next day.

The Heroes were the ANIMALS who endured and suffered year after year, dying horrific deaths because Officials told the community and neighbors to “mind their own business” and “We can’t tell someone to give up their animals just ‘cuz they have too many.”  Even though Sheriff Kendle stated that the Sheriff’s Department had been called out to the property at least 10 times since 2007.

Well, GUESS WHAT, they can!  The RCW’s Chapter 16 regarding animal cruelty, abuse and neglect are complete, thorough, and the LAW, even in Stevens County! 

You and I are held accountable for doing our job, why are those in charge not held accountable for doing theirs? The Commissioners who should provide strategic direction, funding and problem solving.  The Sheriff’s Department to “protect and serve” and ensure the safety of people and animals in their County. And the Prosecuting Attorney who needs to prosecute period!  How many other humans (children and elderly) and “animals” have been the victims of trivialized situations and those in “charge” looking the other way? How many other County Agency’s (Fire, Ambulance, Social Health, Adult Services, etc.) have been called out and how often?  Where is the partnership of working together to prevent situations like this from happening? 

We cannot have a civil society unless all the players play by the rules and there must be consequences for those who violate the rules. 

Stevens County …. A great place to visit, live, work and play …. as long as you are not a vulnerable child, the elderly or an animal. 

Barb Baumann

Spokane, WA

Letter to the editor Spokesman Review

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/apr/12/stevens-county-turns-blind-eye/

April 12, 2014 in Letters, Opinion

Stevens County turns blind eye

n response to The Spokesman-Review’s Feb. 21 story “Dogs rescued from ‘wretched’ conditions in Stevens County”:

We saw garbage and filth everywhere, as the occupants threw their garbage on the property, tethered dogs that died, with no septic, no outhouse, no running water or electricity in 2014. Even though it is against the law in Stevens County not to have a septic system, and to abandon animals, it goes unprosecuted.

This incident was not an isolated one in Stevens County. There is a long history of this type of behavior going unprosecuted. Commissioner Don Dashiell said in the Jan. 27 Spokesman-Review that citizens “handle it themselves.” Twelve dogs died.

Stevens County has zero animal laws. We have state laws that are loosely interpreted. When voting, remember what happens to animals in Stevens County year after year, as well as incapacitated adults.

The county, the Tri-County Health Department, the sheriff, fire department, the ambulance services, delivery persons and adult protective services must stop turning a blind eye. This insane practice of see no evil, hear no evil turns into doing evil by doing nothing.

It is time to demand services in Stevens County.

Ken Holm

Nine Mile Falls

What Stevens County Washington thinks of dogs

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/jan/27/rescuers-in-waiting/

What Stevens County things of dogs, not much!
What Stevens County has done for animals "NOT MUCH"


“Eighty percent of this county never calls the sheriff for animal control issues,” Dashiell said. “They handle it themselves. Dogs that need help usually find help without getting the county or sheriff involved.”   Commissioner Don Dashiel

Animal problems called into the Steven County Sheriff

These reports from the Steven County Sheriff do not include some that we are aware of.  Unreported!

http://www.co.stevens.wa.us/sheriff/Sheriff%20Case%20Reports%20page.htm

We are so glad we don't need Animal Control in Stevens County!