Woman sentenced to psychological help after pets seized

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A Portland woman who repeatedly defied county orders forbidding her from owning pets was sentenced to two years of probation and psychological counseling after authorities say she was found in possession of dozens of animals.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports some of those pets were tied up, were in poor health or wounded and were kept in crates in 40-year-old Elicia Diaz-Caceres’ small Southeast Portland duplex.

Portland police and Multnomah County Animal Services seized 52 animals including dogs, cats, rabbits and turtles from Diaz-Caceres’ home in March 2018. Investigators described the conditions as “deplorable.”

Authorities again seized animals from her home in June 2018 and in September of last year.

In August, Diaz-Caceres pleaded guilty in Multnomah County Circuit Court to seven counts of animal neglect. Under state law, Diaz-Caceres will be prohibited from possessing animals for at least five years.

AP Only 2019