How it came down

We got a call from a concerned citizen mid-February about a horrid mess she found out in Ford, Washington in Stevens County.   She called us after she called the Sheriff and was told they might get out there.  We had her call them again during business hours, and ask to have a Deputy make contact with her, which she did, and that started the ball rolling.  If you ever need turn in a situation like this, ask for a call back and get a case or incident report number. 

The next day we phoned the Sheriff and gave him so many contact numbers to help these dogs.   Dan Paul of the HSUS, Nancy Hill from SCRAPS (advisory only) and Dave Richardson from the Spokane Humane Society.  The Sheriff called CVAS instead.  Their director got the small dogs out of there and to the Spokane Humane Society that Friday, and on Saturday a crew of volunteers from Stevens and Spokane and Lincoln Counties emerged on the property.  We found garbage everywhere, dead dogs tethered and frozen to the ground.  They had NOT just recently died; they were skin and bones and appeared to be in a state of decomposition.  For any county official to state that this was new to them, though they had been on the property on a fairly regular basis, does not add up in our opinion.

We saw garbage and filth everywhere, as the occupants threw their garbage on the property, with no septic, no outhouse, no running water or electricity in 2014 in the United States!  Even though it is against the law in Stevens County to let your sewage into the ground, and not have a septic system, it goes unprosectued!

That day, we were able to get four puppies out from under a trailer that was not inhabitable, whose eyes were not open yet, they were that young.  They were under that structure with a dead tethered dog.  What a way to begin life!

The next day we were all back with traps and the work began.  It was cold and wet and the dogs were hungry and scared.  They had been abandoned which is against the law in Washington State! 

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=16.52

Tethering however is not!  Please ask her state representatives and senators to vote to BAN tethering.  These dogs may not have died from starvation, dehydration and hypothermia had they been able to do something to fend for themselves.  The ones that were not tethered, lived.

The rest of the rescue is a blur, with so many off and on the property, caught dogs being taken to the Humane Society, tempers and emotions running high, wondering how this ever could have been allowed to happen anywhere in the US in 2014.

When we moved to Stevens County our Realtor never disclosed the fact that the laws are pretty much non-existent and that the officials here have tended to look the other way when it comes to hoarding, puppy mills, and people living without proper sanitation in Stevens County.  They say they lack funds to enforce those laws.  If these dogs had been children!  Well, that about says it all!

This incident was not an isolated one, it’s the tip of the iceberg in Stevens County, and there is a long history of this type of behavior going under the radar.   This is not a civilized behavior by officials, let alone the citizens and it just baffles our minds that this is allowed today, anywhere.

As the days progressed, with still one dog running loose, and thankfully nobody from John Q Public interfering (which we all appreciate so very much) the plight continues.  One old man, living illegally, who has been feeding this dog to hold her hostage because he has control issues and will not allow volunteers on his land, the Sheriff says it is his right to do so, is controlling the fate of this dog.    The deputy that came had no issues with this man; the ownership of this last dog seems to be in question.  Because of Stevens County adopting the Code of the West.   http://www.co.stevens.wa.us/commissioners/Commissioners%20Documents/BOCCdocs.htm

And the powers that be choosing a loose interpretation of the state laws, as we do not have any animal laws in Stevens County, the challenge grows daily.  It is our job to educate, vote, choose better lives for those whose mental capacities allow them to choose that life, and for the animals that we should be trying to protect.

Some people like living this way, hard to fathom.  The county, the Tri County health department, the Sheriff and Fire Department, the ambulance services, adult protective services MUST STOP TURNING A BLIND EYE!  As well as say, deliverymen.  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 for these helpless animals!

Please keep reading, it is more and more telling as we gather information. 

The Discovery

Yesterday, at approximately 1540, I entered the property/residence located at XXXX Highway XXX in Stevens County, Washington. I was accompanied by the owner of the property, a female patient that currently resides at a skilled nursing facility located in Spokane, Washington.



Background information:  This patient came to this skilled nursing facility with leg wounds and infection. Her infected legs appeared to be a direct result of her current lifestyle. She and her older sister reside at the above listed property. They have no electricity or water available on the property. They are unable to bathe regularly and must haul in water via water jugs from the grocery store. They have “charges”, as they call them, which are their dogs.



On February 12, 2014, our patient’s sister came into the facility to visit her sister. She drove herself in a small pickup truck. She entered the building and staff began to notice a very strong and rancid odor coming from her person. She appeared tired and in pain. Her clothing was not clean and her shoes did not fit. Her legs were observed to be swollen, wounded, and infected.   She and her sister were visiting in the lobby when I approached them, accompanied by a nurse.   My initial intention was to offer her a shower and discuss our concern with her appearance and odor. Upon sitting by her, I was immediately affected by the incredibly strong body odor, not that of typical body odor, but more of a rotting flesh smell.  She was wearing sweat pants that she had rolled up to her knees. As I looked at the condition of her legs, I immediately turned my focus to her health and need for immediate medical attention. I encouraged her to go to the hospital immediately, via ambulance, to have her legs examined. She was reluctant to go to the hospital as she had her dogs to care for. I assured her and her sister that her dogs would be checked on.   She left via ambulance within 1 hour of noting the seriousness of her legs.  She was later admitted as a patient.



The following day, my team and I, including our patient, went to her residence, as promised, to perform her home evaluation as part of her therapy, and to check on and feed her dogs. I purchased dog food and water for her animals as she stated they were probably hungry.



As we entered her gravel driveway, we noticed an older vehicle parked diagonally, blocking our van from going any further onto her property. We stopped and began to get the patient and her wheelchair/walker out of the van. The dirt was snowy and icy, with many puddles.  There were approximately 10-15 large breed dogs barking and jumping around, appearing scared, somewhat protective, and hungry.   We immediately opened the dog food and poured it on the ground to refocus the dogs’ attention to the food, rather than us.  They began eating the food and fighting with each other over the food. In the background we could hear several small dogs barking that appeared to be coming from a 8X10 shed nearby.



Our patient told us that the Pomeranians and Chihuahuas were in the shed and were probably hungry and thirsty. I peered into the windows of the shed and counted approximately 12 small dogs barking, crying, and jumping. They were matted, dirty, and wet.  At this point, we were still focusing on the larger dogs. Our patient began to yell at them to quiet down.  She called them by names. They were not obeying any commands, only focused on eating.



Our team began to note our surroundings. There was garbage, mostly old dog food bags and empty plastic one gallon water jugs strewn about. There was dog feces in all places we glanced. To the right, there were 2 old and run down trailers that had approximately 3 dogs tied to them. The dogs were barking and appeared hungry. They had puddles to drink from, although 2 of the dogs could not reach the puddles due to the chains.



Looking further back on the property were 4 additional older vehicles parked randomly. Each vehicle was stuffed with boxes of food, garbage, and other home products such as garbage bags, books, and  clothing. Near the trailers were piles of garbage, garbage cans filled with trash and old clothing. There were plastic kennels strewn throughout the property, some buried half way up with dirt. There were more dogs chained to trees further back on the property.

As I walked towards the trailers, I saw a dog that died in a puddle near his kennel. I found another deceased dog that was chained up near his kennel. There was a deceased dog laying in his kennel, and another deceased dog under the trailer. As I approached the smaller trailer, I saw another deceased dog near the trailer door. I could hear what sounded like puppies yelping  and crying.  I tried to find the source of the noise and was surprised by a dog that seemed to be guarding the puppies, under the trailer. He was unfriendly. As I backed away, I saw an adult deceased cat lying just under the trailer.

I untied the rope from the door to the small trailer and peered inside, only to see a horrid discovery of 5-6 deceased puppies. The smell was incredibly atrocious.  There were plastic kennels turned upside down and garbage, dog feces and urine, covering the inside of this trailer. Everything in the trailer was covered in mold and mud.



I went to the larger trailer and looked inside. Its windows were all broke out and the inside was trashed with garbage and broken junk.  The smell and appearance was dreadful. It was also full of broken kennels, boxes and other junk. It was moldy and muddy as well. I could not venture in as the smell became too overwhelming.



I circled back to the team, whom were trying to navigate the patient closer to the shed that housed the poms/Chihuahuas.. I asked the patient where she lived on the property.  She pointed to the shed, and said, “This is where she lives.”  The shed had knocked over propane tanks outside the window, with one that had a tube going into a cracked window, appearing to be a heat source. It had windows and a door. It appeared to be a yard shed that they had used as living quarters.



We helped the patient up to the door of the shed and she stated she did not want anyone to come in as “the place” was a mess. As I helped her open the door, an immediate   burning stench filled my nose with  the smell of animal urine and feces. The small dogs instantly poured out through the slightly opened door and ran immediately to a puddle of water and began to drink. The conditions of the small dogs, whom appeared to be mostly Pomeranians and Chihuahua’s, were compromised. Most of the dogs were so heavily matted that they could not walk straight. They were so weighted down with feces being stuck onto their coats, that they walked crooked and somewhat slowly. They began eating the food that was poured out for the larger dogs. We then opened the small dog food bag and poured out food for them. They were eating the food quickly and would sometimes fight with each other for more. The smaller dogs had difficulty eating as they could not chew their food well. They were approachable and appeared to like human attention.  They smelled strongly of feces and urine.



The patient was in the shed, trying to “clean up” she stated. We kept a close eye on her, but could not enter the shed as there was no room inside. The floor of the shed was covered in wet feces and urine. There was a recliner and perhaps a futon bed inside. Everything was covered in mold and mildew. There were no bathroom facilities, bed, or kitchen set up. Uncertain as to how or where the sisters would go the bathroom, shower, or keep perishables.   It was uncertain as to where they would sit or sleep, or keep warm. The propane tanks appeared empty.



We then gathered up all the small dogs to return them to the shed. The patient grabbed them by the back of the neck and tossed each into the shed. She would yell at them to stop and quiet down.  They immediately began to yelp and cry, not wanting to return to the shed.  The smell was so strong of ammonia from the urine that the team could only last a few seconds in the door of the shed returning the small dogs.



At this point, I called the Steven’s County Sheriff dispatch. They stated a sheriff would contact me after shift change. I did eventually speak to him and implored him to come to the property and remove the animals. I explained all that we saw, including the deceased animals and the deplorable conditions of the living animals.  He stated he had been out to the property before and had spoken to the sisters. He stated that he would need to attain a court order to be able to remove the animals unless they would sign away their rights voluntarily.  He did not know how long this process would take, but that he would “see what he could do”.



After approximately and hour and 15 minutes, we returned to the van to leave the property. I asked the patient, “Do you feel that your animals are safe?”  She stated, “Oh yes, they are fine.”  I then told her I found at least 10 dead dogs, and she stated, “Oh no, that wouldn’t be.” I confirmed it was so, and then she said, “Oh, I know what happened…we didn’t have any food or water for a few days when we were snowed in, and that’s probably how that happened…”.

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!