The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has responded to numerous animal complaints in the 52000 block of Wayside Loop in La Pine. These calls for service have varied from dogs at large, noise complaints, dogs living in unsafe conditions, and several dog bites. One of these bites was a deputy attempting to effect an arrest at the property. As a result of these animal complaints the dog owner was issued Deschutes County Code Violations on 9 occasions related to her dogs.
On December 21, 2023, deputies responded to the residence for a complaint of dogs at large and found an elderly homeowner was now living with 14 total dogs at his residence after the dogs had been abandoned. These dogs ranged in age from adults (1-3 years old) and puppies (8-20 weeks old).
The dogs were left with no food, no clean water, living mostly outdoors in inclement weather. Many of the dogs were highly aggressive and had not been vaccinated or licensed in the county. The elderly male homeowner was not able to care for them and had not agreed to do so.
During this call for service deputies seized 11 dogs and transported them to the Humane Society in Bend. An investigation was initiated at this time for the crimes of Animal Neglect II and Animal Abandonment. During the investigation deputies responded to more dog at large calls and seized several other dogs.
On December 29, 2023, A 48-year-old La Pine woman was contacted in La Pine and was found to have 20 additional dogs still living at the property in very poor conditions. The woman surrendered the dogs to Law Enforcement willingly and they were transported to Brightside Animal Hospital in Redmond.
In total 37 dogs were in the suspect’s possession, and all have been taken to animal shelters in our area.
She was cited and released on these charges: Animal Neglect in the Second Degree (felony/3 counts), Animal Abandonment (29 counts), Unlicensed Dog (13 counts)
