Local Woman Arrested in Alfalfa Puppy Mill Case; 49 Felony Counts of Animal Neglect Filed
ALFALFA, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 62-year-old woman was arrested Friday on 49 felony counts of second-degree animal neglect after Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at her residence on Elk Lane in Alfalfa.
Lorinda Maxwell, who operates under the business name Kameo Poodles, was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Deschutes County Jail.
The investigation began earlier this month after a woman contacted the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office with concerns about a dog she purchased from Maxwell through the website rescueme.org. Deputies and animal control technicians responded and suspected the property to be a puppy mill.
After Maxwell declined to voluntarily surrender the animals, a search warrant was obtained and executed on Friday, Sept. 5.
DCSO Animal Control seized 44 dogs from the residence, and Maxwell voluntarily surrendered two additional dogs and three cats. According to the sheriff’s office, the animals — including standard, miniature and toy poodles, along with two litters of puppies — were found in unsanitary and unhealthy conditions.
Animal Control Technician Maryia Leufven described the interior of the home as having a strong odor of urine and ammonia, with many animals confined to dirty crates or laying on soiled blankets. Several dogs appeared to require medical treatment and grooming.
“Poodles need regular grooming every 6 to 8 weeks,” the sheriff’s office noted. “When neglected, their coats can develop heavy, painful curls that pull on their skin. Without proper care, poodles are also prone to dental issues and ear infections.”
“Our Animal Control Technicians are committed to protecting animals in our community and are highly trained to notice signs of neglect,” said Jason Carr, public information officer for the sheriff’s office. “In this case, we believe Maxwell prioritized quantity over quality with profit as the main goal. And given how long she’s been breeding and the unhealthy conditions in the home, we’re considering this a puppy mill.”
The seized animals are receiving medical treatment at the Humane Society of Central Oregon and will remain in their care pending the outcome of the case. The animals are currently on court hold and not available for adoption.
Due to the scale of the investigation, DCSO is asking anyone with information to come forward. Anyone who has purchased an animal from Kameo Poodles or Lorinda Maxwell is asked to call non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911.
Humane Society at Capacity, Seeks Community Support
The Humane Society of Central Oregon reports that its dog kennels are currently operating at 200% capacity. Officials say caring for animals rescued from neglect cases requires substantial resources.
The shelter encourages community members to support the effort by adopting or fostering other available dogs, or by donating to help fund care for the rescued animals and others in need. Donations can be made at www.hsco.org.
To allow shelter staff to focus on animal care, HSCO asks that any questions regarding the case be directed to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.
