Bend woman begins 60-day sentence in animal neglect case

A Bend-area woman began serving a 60-day sentence at the Deschutes County Jail last week, more than a year after she was cited on 35 animal neglect charges in a raid on her property east of town.

Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies raided Goldie Coats’ property east of Bend in November 2014.

Goldie Coats, now 57, and Sonya Henderson, 71, each were cited on 35 counts of second-degree aggravated animal neglect.

Sheriff’s deputies said 30 dogs and five puppies were living in their own waste, some severely emaciated, and many suffering from health problems.

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.

Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel said Coats entered an “Alford plea,” a no-contest plea in which a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges the evidence likely would lead to a judge or jury’s guilty verdict.

Coats began her 60 day jail sentence last Wednesday.