La Pine dog breeder charged with felony animal neglect

One week after a La Pine dog breeder surrendered 53 dogs to authorities, one of which had to be euthanized, she was charged Friday with two felony counts of animal neglect, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.

Sheriff’s Sgt. William Bailey said an investigation began the day the removal of the dogs from the woman’s property on Ash Road was conducted, a process that took several hours.

The Humane Society of Central Oregon evaluated each dog’s condition, and nearly 20 were transfered to the Oregon Humane Society in Portland. Both organizations have begun adopting out the dogs to new owners.

Based on the results of the investigation, deputies contacted Pamela G. Kyler, 63, on Friday and cited her in lieu of custody on one count each of first-degree and second-degree animal neglect.

“Each count is a felony and alleges the neglect occurred to 10 or more animals,” Bailey said in a news release.

The sheriff’s sergeant said the agency will continue to work with HSCO in the coming weeks “to monitor, document and forward any new information to the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office for review.”