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Case ID: 10495

Classification: Neglect / Abandonment, Hoarding

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

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Puppy mill - 18 dogs seized
Port Orchard, WA (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Jan 2, 2007
County: Kitsap

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Acquitted
Case Images: 1 files available

Person of Interest: Gerald Ebel

Case Updates: 3 update(s) available

Kitsap County Animal Control officers are protecting the dogs they've rescued from what they call one of the worst cases of animal cruelty they've ever seen.

Officers seized 18 German Shepherd dogs on Jan 2 from a puppy mill in south Kitsap County. They say the dogs lived in filth, fought for food and now fear even the kindest touch.

"Filthy, just, I can't describe how bad it was," said veteran officer Rance McEntyre.

McEntyre says the owner typically threw out bags of food and let the dogs fight over it, so even the smallest dogs are malnourished and covered with scars. He says the dogs had free run inside the home, so it was filled with feces and filth.

"It's almost like going into a meth home it's so bad," he said.

Most of these animals are so timid, they won't let people come near them, much less touch them.

One named Cindy can barely stand and can't pick up even a dog biscuit, while Little One shakes uncontrollably and Hilda has open sores on her back.

Only some puppies will let people get this close, and even they are still uncomfortable with it.

Officers say there is still one dog that remains at the home that they haven't been able to catch. They say the owner has been uncooperative.

They've forwarded the case to prosecutors and hope for felony charges of first degree animal cruelty.

"He should never own an animal again," McEntyre said.

In the meantime, the dogs are being kept at a private kennel with plenty of food and loving caretakers.

But some may never learn to trust.

None of these dogs is available for adoption at this time while the animal cruelty case moves forward and all will need extensive care and socialization. But the Kitsap Humane Society and Animal Control is accepting donations to help pay the costs of caring for them.

Case Updates

A Kitsap County District Court jury acquitted a South Kitsap man Friday of two counts of second-degree animal cruelty, according to an attorney familiar with the case.

Kitsap County prosecutors had alleged conditions at Gerald Ebel's Minter Lane home led to two of his 18 German shepherd dogs having to be euthanized following an animal control raid and seizure on his property on Jan. 2 and 3.

But following three days of trial and two days of deliberation, the six-person jury acquitted him on both counts - one pertaining to 12-year-old Tiger and one to 10-year-old Cindy, who were both put to sleep.

"He was really emotional and very relieved," Stan Glisson, Ebel's attorney, said Friday of his client.

Glisson maintained throughout the trial that Ebel had given the dogs the best care he could, while prosecutors told jurors he'd inadequately cared for the animals.

"Obviously we feel the jury did the right thing," Glisson said. "It's difficult that he had to go through a long and painful process to be exonerated."

Source: Kisap Sun - Oct 13, 2007
Update posted on Oct 13, 2007 - 11:06PM

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A South Kitsap man charged with second-degree animal cruelty took the stand Wednesday in Kitsap County District Court, telling a six-person jury he "would try anything," if it helped to keep alive the two dogs he's accused of inadequately caring for.

Gerald R. Ebel, 52, one-time owner of a hobby kennel of 18 German shepherd dogs, had his Minter Lane home raided Jan. 2 and 3 by Kitsap Animal Control.

While animal control officers' reports of the raid included allegations of malnourishment, neglect and inbreeding, prosecutors honed in on two dogs - Tiger, 12, and Cindy, 10 - who they say had to be put to sleep following the raid due to conditions at Ebel's residence.

Ebel disagreed with veterinarians' opinions late last year that the dogs in question needed to be put to sleep, opting instead to try and treat them, he told jurors in Judge Marilyn Paja's courtroom.

"He was my best buddy," he said of Tiger, his voice trembling. He also called the dog "his no. 1," as it was regarded as a kind of alpha male on the fenced property.

Ebel's case, as represented by attorney Stan Glisson, also called three men to the stand - two friends and Ebel's brother. All three told jurors that Ebel loved and cared for his dogs. Friend Lonny Self told them, "he's better with animals than with people."

In the morning, deputy prosecutor Helene Smart wrapped her case up, finishing with Kitsap Humane Society Veterinarian John Griffith, who said Tiger had a genetic arthritic condition that incapacitated his rear legs.

That condition could have been passed to other dogs on the property because "he was breeding the dogs with this problem," he said.

There was one legal hitch Wednesday: Glisson attempted to have the case thrown out because, he argued, the name of the county where the alleged offense occurred - part of proving the case beyond a reasonable doubt - wasn't mentioned. But Judge Paja allowed the prosecution to reopen its case and call an animal control officer to the stand on short notice to confirm it was in Kitsap.

The trial is expected to wrap up Thursday with closing arguments and jury deliberations.

Source: Kitsap Sun - Oct 10, 2007
Update posted on Oct 14, 2007 - 4:59PM

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Prosecutors call the abuse and neglect of 18 German Shepherds a clear case of animal cruelty. The accused Kitsap County man's friend says it's just a "witch hunt."

Gerald Ebel has dodged cameras ever since police raided his Port Orchard home in January, confiscating 18 German Shephard's -- puppies and adults that police say Ebel neglected and starved.

Animal Control Officer Rance McIntyre still remembers the tough decision to "put down" two adults, Tiger and Cindy, who just couldn't make it.

"When they can't walk and are in an emaciated state, there's nothing else to do for them at that time," McIntyre said.

Ebel pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge. He says prosecutors got everything wrong, but refused to elaborate to the media.

Prosecutors only charged Ebel with a misdemeanor, not the felony animal cruelty charge officers hoped to get.

"The investigation, the facts that we have, and the elements that we have, we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt animal cruelty in the second degree at this point," said prosecuting attorney Claire Bradley.

If convicted, Ebel faces a maximum 90 days in jail. For McIntrye, that's not justice.

"He gets to walk away, the animals had to go to jail as some would call it," he said.

Ebel walked out of court Thursday, but when he walks into his house, there will be no animals there. The court has ordered he has no animals until, at least, this case is resolved.

Source: KOMO-TV - March 8, 2007
Update posted on Mar 12, 2007 - 1:12AM

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Puppy mill - 18 dogs seizedPort Orchard, WA (US)

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Puppy mill - 18 dogs seized
Port Orchard, WA (US)