Toledo breeder charged with animal cruelty
TOLEDO, Wash. -- A Lewis County breeder has now been slapped with 20 counts of animal cruelty. If convicted, Theresa Hahn could face jail time for running what investigators call a puppy mill.
Earlier this month, the sheriff's office said it seized 20 dogs, mostly Pomeranians that were malnourished and severely neglected.
Some 157 dogs were found on the property when investigators arrived. According to eye witnesses, dogs at the home were dehydrated, covered in fleas, and living in their own excrement.
"For sheer numbers in residents it's the most I've seen," said Amy Clark with Lewis County Animal Control after the raid on Oct. 8.
Twenty of them were seized due to neglectful and unsanitary conditions, said Chief Deputy Stacy Brown of the Lewis County Sheriff's Office. All of the rescued dogs had indications of physical ailments needing veterinary care, including severe skin infections, fleas, hair loss, missing teeth, open sores, eye damage and other problems, deputies said.
Hahn has denied the allegations, saying she considers herself a breeder and that the sheriff's raid to rescue the 20 worst at her home traumatized the rest. She also claims county workers hurt her dogs during the raid and that the allegations of filth were way overblown.
"There is not feces on my furniture," Hahn said on Oct. 9. "There is not feces all over my home. That is going overboard."
The rescued dogs are now county property and available for adoption. Lewis County's animal shelter has no budget and is trying to raise $3,400 in donations to pay for their vet bills.
Hahn will be in court next month.
Earlier this month, the sheriff's office said it seized 20 dogs, mostly Pomeranians that were malnourished and severely neglected.
Some 157 dogs were found on the property when investigators arrived. According to eye witnesses, dogs at the home were dehydrated, covered in fleas, and living in their own excrement.
"For sheer numbers in residents it's the most I've seen," said Amy Clark with Lewis County Animal Control after the raid on Oct. 8.
Twenty of them were seized due to neglectful and unsanitary conditions, said Chief Deputy Stacy Brown of the Lewis County Sheriff's Office. All of the rescued dogs had indications of physical ailments needing veterinary care, including severe skin infections, fleas, hair loss, missing teeth, open sores, eye damage and other problems, deputies said.
Hahn has denied the allegations, saying she considers herself a breeder and that the sheriff's raid to rescue the 20 worst at her home traumatized the rest. She also claims county workers hurt her dogs during the raid and that the allegations of filth were way overblown.
"There is not feces on my furniture," Hahn said on Oct. 9. "There is not feces all over my home. That is going overboard."
The rescued dogs are now county property and available for adoption. Lewis County's animal shelter has no budget and is trying to raise $3,400 in donations to pay for their vet bills.
Hahn will be in court next month.