Deputies seize 35 dogs in neglect case east of Bend

Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies raided a property east of Bend Monday night and cited two women on animal neglect charges, seizing 30 dogs and five puppies they said were living in their own waste, some severely emaciated and many suffering from health problems.

Earlier in the day, around 11:20 a.m. Monday, animal control technicians were dispatched to an address east of Bend on a report of at least two dozen dogs being kept in unsanitary conditions, said sheriff’s Lt. Deron McMaster.

Investigating the complaint, McMaster said they found at least 30 dogs and five puppies being kept in kennels, cages and at least five in small pet carriers.

“All were living in their own urine and feces and were lacking food and water,” the lieutenant said in a news release. “Several dogs appeared to be severely emaciated.”

A search warrant was prepared and executed around 8:30 p.m. by deputies and animal control techs, McMaster said. All of the dogs located on the premises were seized and placed into shelter.

“Many of the dogs were suffering from a range of health problems, to include severe tooth decay, sores, mats, severely untrimmed toenails and severe emaciation,” McMaster wrote.

Goldie Coats, 55, and Sonya Henderson, 71, were cited on 35 counts of second-degree aggravated animal neglect and released. Coats also was charged with 33 counts of having no dog license, while Henderson was charged with two counts.

McMaster said the investigation is continuing.

The Humane Society of Central Oregon shelter received the dogs late Monday night in an operation that continued until early Tuesday morning, said Lynne Ouchida, community outreach coordinator.

In a posting on its Facebook page, the HSCO said it will spend Tuesday processing and evaluating the dogs.

“As we learn more about the case and the dogs, we will let you know how you can help,” the organization said. “The dogs are part of a case and not available for adoption at this time.”

While McMaster did not list the address of the raid, a Web search under Coats’ name still finds an undated Website with Coats listed as operator of Ranch Kennels on Nelson Road, with this motto at the top: “You Care and So Do We.”

“We keep the staff small to insure consistency of care and a familiarity with the pets,” the kennel’s Website says, adding that the facility was “on 14 acres just east of town with 46 indoor-outdoor runs, a play yard and a separate cattery with 11 runs.”

Ken Granacki, owner of Bend Pet Resort, said he’s done business with Coats, buying crates from her. But he said she shut down Ranch Kennels over five years ago and moved to Canada, later returning to the Nelson Road property but not reopening the kennel business.

Granacki, who is also a show dog breeder, said while many of the dogs that come to his business also have matted hair and overgrown toenails, the allegations, if true, are serious. He also said that 35 dogs are “too many dogs for two women to be able to handle” without a lot of help.

The old Website for the kennels says Coats was a graduate of the Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Denver and “has been an active certified veterinary technician for over 15 years” before taking ownership of the kennels. It says she is a “serious hobby breeder and advocate” for the Brittany Spaniel, competing with them in hunt tests, field trials and confirmation shows, and “time permitting offers rescue services for Brittanys.”

A link on the Website to boarding information is broken, as is one to Coats’ Wyngold Brittanys breeding business, which a search finds also is still online. It says it was established in 1976 and displays an American Kennel Club “Breeder of Merit” award.

Henderson is listed as a basset hounds judge on the AKC Website, approved in 2007.