Oregon ranks No. 3 in animal protection laws

A new report ranks Oregon as the third-best state in the nation when it comes to protecting animals from abuse and neglect.

The Humane Society of Central Oregon currently has its hands full in just one such case.

“Right now, we’re sitting with very full kennels with an animal neglect case pending right now,” Lynne Ouchida, community outreach manager, said Friday.

Thirty dogs and five puppies were found severely neglected in a Bend home and brought to the Bend shelter last month.

The alleged abusers are charged with 35 counts of animal neglect, a felony in Oregon.

“Oregon definitely has passed many laws over the years that have helped improve animal welfare in the state,” Ouchida said.

Oregon’s tough laws on animal neglect cases are reflected in the ranking by the Animal Legal Defense Fund, where the state placed third, behind Illinois and Maine.

“Those things enable officers and attorneys and the courts to definitely protect the animals and hopefully prevent harm in the future,” Ouchida said.

Although the Beaver State placed third, Ouchida said there is still room for improvement.

“Just kind of protecting, (like) reckless endangerment of an animal in a hot car,” Ouchida said.

The two women in the animal neglect case are scheduled for arraignment on Jan. 7.