Who's to blame in alleged puppy mill case?
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. -- Investigators are digging deeper into the alleged puppy mill operations that spanned two counties, trying to find out exactly who's to blame for the hundreds of dogs found living in deplorable situations.
Last month investigators raided a Gold Bar kennel belonging to Mary Ann Holleman and seized 155 dogs living in ghastly conditions conditions so horrific that it shocked even veteran animal control officers.
Holleman, however, has not been charged. Instead, Jason and Serenna Larsen were in court on Tuesday, each charged with six felony counts of animal cruelty.
Holleman's sister, Renee Roske, had hired the Larsens to live on site at her kennel and take care of the dogs, according to the search warrant. Roske runs the Wags N Wiggles Pet Shop out of her home in Snohomish.
According to court documents, the Larsens allegedly starved, dehydrated and suffocated at least six animals while on the job.
At the time of the raid, adult dogs and puppies were found living in crates and small pens filled with large accumulations of feces and heavily soiled shavings. Officers said the odor from the feces and urine was so overpowering it could be detected well outside the residence. A large commercial dumpster stood in the yard overflowing with dog waste.
Eighty-seven of the dogs were living in a converted attic.Several dead puppies also were found in a freezer, and two dead dogs were found elsewhere on the premises. Most of the dogs were heavily matted, covered with their own feces and saturated with urine.
Investigators said many dogs had open sores on various parts of their bodies and all were covered with fleas. Several dogs had tumors and other abnormal body conditions. Medications and used syringes, used to treat sick animals, were found scattered in front of pens and in a refrigerator.
In court, Jason Larsen insisted he and his wife were just a small part of a multi-million dollar operation. Larsens also said they would need public defenders to represent them.
In addition to Holleman's kennel, investigators also raided Holleman's and Roske's homes in January. At that time, Roske told them that some of her dogs were at her parents' kennel in Skagit County.
Roske's claim led detectives to Marjorie and Richard Sundberg's Mount Vernon kennel where they seized nearly 450 dogs.
The Sundbergs each face four counts of animal cruelty in the first degree, four counts of animal cruelty in the second degree and one count of transporting or confining in an unsafe manner. The two are due back in court on Friday.
Roske has not been charged as a part of the puppy mill allegation; however, the investigation is ongoing.
Detectives are seeking customers who may have purchased a dog from Roske or Wags N Wiggles. Anyone who thinks they may have done so to e-mail them. Some 110 people have e-mailed with complaints so far.
Last month investigators raided a Gold Bar kennel belonging to Mary Ann Holleman and seized 155 dogs living in ghastly conditions conditions so horrific that it shocked even veteran animal control officers.
Holleman, however, has not been charged. Instead, Jason and Serenna Larsen were in court on Tuesday, each charged with six felony counts of animal cruelty.
Holleman's sister, Renee Roske, had hired the Larsens to live on site at her kennel and take care of the dogs, according to the search warrant. Roske runs the Wags N Wiggles Pet Shop out of her home in Snohomish.
According to court documents, the Larsens allegedly starved, dehydrated and suffocated at least six animals while on the job.
At the time of the raid, adult dogs and puppies were found living in crates and small pens filled with large accumulations of feces and heavily soiled shavings. Officers said the odor from the feces and urine was so overpowering it could be detected well outside the residence. A large commercial dumpster stood in the yard overflowing with dog waste.
Eighty-seven of the dogs were living in a converted attic.Several dead puppies also were found in a freezer, and two dead dogs were found elsewhere on the premises. Most of the dogs were heavily matted, covered with their own feces and saturated with urine.
Investigators said many dogs had open sores on various parts of their bodies and all were covered with fleas. Several dogs had tumors and other abnormal body conditions. Medications and used syringes, used to treat sick animals, were found scattered in front of pens and in a refrigerator.
In court, Jason Larsen insisted he and his wife were just a small part of a multi-million dollar operation. Larsens also said they would need public defenders to represent them.
In addition to Holleman's kennel, investigators also raided Holleman's and Roske's homes in January. At that time, Roske told them that some of her dogs were at her parents' kennel in Skagit County.
Roske's claim led detectives to Marjorie and Richard Sundberg's Mount Vernon kennel where they seized nearly 450 dogs.
The Sundbergs each face four counts of animal cruelty in the first degree, four counts of animal cruelty in the second degree and one count of transporting or confining in an unsafe manner. The two are due back in court on Friday.
Roske has not been charged as a part of the puppy mill allegation; however, the investigation is ongoing.
Detectives are seeking customers who may have purchased a dog from Roske or Wags N Wiggles. Anyone who thinks they may have done so to e-mail them. Some 110 people have e-mailed with complaints so far.