Dogs seized from rescue facility are 'evidence,' investigation continues
SALEM, Ore. - Over 140 dogs seized from an animal rescue facility in Marion County are still considered 'evidence' and will not be up for adoption anytime soon, if at all.
The dogs were removed from Willamette Valley Animal Rescue in Brooks.
Investigators said most of the animals were suffering from neglect, were malnourished and were being kept in filthy and overcrowded conditions.
The facility drew attention after a worker with the Oregon Humane Society received reports of problems with an adoption of a dog and was told that the place seemed more like a hoarding situation.
Code enforcement officers tried to work with the rescue facility to resolve the complaints but received no cooperation from those running the rescue organization. The facility also refused to work with the Oregon Humane Society. That's when the sheriff's office stepped in to remove the dogs.
Don Thomson, spokesperson for the Marion County Sheriff's Office, said a number of the dogs were found kept in small transport containers designed for just one animal and there was no staff at the facility. Only a small amount of dog food was found and water for the dogs was contaminated.
Thomson said it appeared that many of the dogs were fed stale bread. Elsewhere on the property, dogs ran free or huddled in small runs and the facility itself was fouled with feces and urine.
"Many of the dogs appeared to be extremely underweight and suffering from starvation and malnutrition," Thomson said. "Others appeared sick and some had their eyes sealed shut with body fluids."
Alicia Inglish, 24, was arrested and charged with 120 counts of animal neglect and one count of tampering with evidence. Thomson said more arrests are expected once the investigation progresses.
The sheriff's office said they have received a number of inquiries about the dogs and whether they will be up for adoption. Right now, the dogs are part of the investigation and adoptions are not open. The dogs could be available in a few weeks or months, or not at all, Thomson said.
Those who want to help out in some way can donate to the organizations involved in the care of the dogs.
Those who have adopted a dog from Willamette Valley Animal Rescue in the past are asked to call Thomson at (503) 932-8002 or send him an email at Dthomson@co.marion.or.us.
If you were in the process of adopting one of the dogs that was seized, contact the Oregon Humane Society, the Willamette Humane Society and/or Marion County Dog Control to see if the dog you were adopting is still available. At that point, you will be required to follow the organization's regular adoption process.
Many folks have been wondering whether there are laws requiring inspections of rescue facilities. The sheriff's office said there is no specific law that authorizes such inspections, but the Oregon law dealing with neglect and/or animal abuse requires that animals be provided four things by individuals or organizations:
- Adequate food and water
- Adequate space for exercise
- A reasonably clean living area, free of excess waste
- An environment with air temperature suitable for the animal
I adopted a dog from her two years ago. He is asleep on the couch right now. Met her liked her. She is a very nice and very young girl. I thought she worked for a rescue not the person in charge. Everything she told me about my dog was true. I got his vet records and even took him for his next shots to his original vet so I know she did not lie to me and my dog was in great shape and had no problems. There is a person who was interviewed on Statesman Journal. A lady from another rescue. She said that this girl was in business in 2005. that made her 16. Really. That person interviewed also said this girl asked her for help with the dogs.She said no. She also said that the facility was opened in Brooks in September. Not years ago. There was also another person interviewed who worked with the dogs and said that they went to California (Sometime after September apparently) and picked up 80 dogs that were on death row at a dog pound. They were in bad shape when she got them. I wonder why if she asked for help from someone why that person would not rally other people she knew to help with supplying food for the dogs. You may not want to help the person but what about helping the dogs. Anyway go to statesman and watch the interview.Â
That is amazing because in Polk county you don't have to have those things. dogs are tied to dog houses in the freezing weather all the time. I have turned people in for that and have been told that all they need is food shelter and water. Nothing about air temperature. Is this really true. We need to go after many people then.
These things make me so angry at the humans and so sad for the dogs.
What is sad they had to get to this point before  MARION Co stepped in. They had to have known prior to this. Why wait so long? More then a few have excess  dogs in OR this despite the so called 50 dog rule, Those too will be suffering before  anything is done
I've worked with sociopaths in the judicial system, and can honestly say Inglish's eyes are the coldest, most soulless eyes I've ever seen - not an official diagnosis of course, but I would imagine she's beyond redemption.
@gofigure are you referring to the photo. You know nothing.
 @gofigure ~ Well, I can't imagine anyone with a soul treating animals that way... so your evaluation is probably right on target...Â
@margay1 @gofigure Im sure your professional opinion should be checked out. where is it you work. I think your employer should know that you are practicing medicine. I doubt that you should be practicing medicine if you work for the judicial system. You will cause whoever you work for to be sued because you are practicing medicine by making a diagnosis without being qualified to do so. I will flag your post because you are out of line practicing medicine.
 @Deb  @margay1  @gofigure ~  I stated a PERSONAL opinion; NOT a professional opinion; First Amendment rights, you know...   just as you are welcome to state your own opinions.  Â
Poor dogs.... if this is what they were rescued INTO, I would hate to see what they were rescued FROM..! Â
I hope they can get the case charged and prosecuted fairly quickly, so that the dogs can be released for adoption...
Some "rescue" facility....
And as long as the poor animals are considered "evidence", their care will be paid by the Marion County Sheriff's Office? Hopefully, restitution will be ordered once this trial results in conviction.
@jpk Where does it say that Marion county sheriff's office is footing the bill? Do you mean Marion County Dog Control?
I may be wrong in this case, but evidence used in a criminal prosecution is usually held by the law enforcement agency investigating the incident. Dog Control would be holding animals for ordinance violations. In any event, Marion County will be paying for the upkeep, even if the animals are kept elsewhere.Â
My heart aches for those poor animals who endured terrible conditions. I'm glad an arrest was made and this is being taken seriously. Hopefully the authorities can document the abuse and turn the animals over to legitimate facilities that will care for them, nurse them back to health and find good homes for them.
@DeaconBugg got news that won't happen for many of them. they had real problems before they came to oregon and were on death row so the odds of them escaping death at a humane society which does put dogs to death if they find them unadoptable is slim.