57 dogs seized in raid; Jefferson County breeder charged
A raid on a dog breeding operation east of Madras on Saturday led to the seizure of 57 dogs living in “unsatisfactory living conditions” and animal neglect charges against the breeder, Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies said late Saturday night.
Deputies served a search warrant shortly after 9 a.m. at a property on Northeast Loucks Road, about five miles east of Madras, Sgt. Ryan Grote said in a posting to the sheriff’s office Facebook page.
Cora Gooding, 49, of Madras was arrested by citation on a charge of second-degree animal neglect and for “standards of care applicable to dog breeders,” the agency’s Facebook posting said.
The sheriff’s office thanked the Three Rivers Humane Society in Madras for its help, along with an unidentified local veterinarian who performed a wellness examination for each dog.
Grote said the shelter was able to transport and will care for the dogs at its facility, pending the outcome of the criminal case. The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office also assisted on Saturday, he added.
A website apparently linked to Gooding, WOW (Waggin’ on Wiggle) Butt Aussies, said it offers “many rare colors of miniature and toy Australian Shepherds.” An “about us” page says it is “a family-owned business” that has “implemented a franchise program to be able to bring our Whelps to more people worldwide,” along with two breeders-owners located in Michigan and Texas.
“We specialize in TeaCup, Toy and Miniature sizes of Australian Shepherds, with a firm belief in providing quality dogs, not quantity,” the site says.
