Pet store neglect
Salem, OR (US)Incident Date: Friday, Apr 10, 2009
County: Marion
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Laura Lien
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Officials seized two dogs and a rabbit from Scamp's Pet Center in Lancaster Mall on Friday [April 10, 2009] because of their poor "health conditions."
Police received a report of animal neglect at the pet store Friday, and responded with Willamette Humane Society workers, Salem Police Lt. Dave Okada said.
"Based on health conditions at the store, we cited the manager for animal neglect," Okada said. He could not elaborate on the type of health conditions, citing a continuing multi-agency investigation.
Two dogs â€" likely poodles, Okada said â€" and a rabbit were taken into custody by the Humane Society. Scamp's was open for business Friday evening.
Workers at the store would not comment on the incident, saying they were not there at the time.
Workers in other stores weren't so tight-lipped. "There are times in the morning when I can hear the animals, and it sounds like they're crying, through the wall," said Justin Tocher, who works nearby. "I don't know how well they're taken care of."
Store manager Laura Lien, 59, was cited for animal neglect, Okada said.
The Humane Society and the Department of Agriculture will continue the investigation. "Action to be taken against the store may come, pending (investigation by other agencies)," Okada said.
He said Salem police would turn the investigation over to the other agencies after all criminal charges have been filed.
"If more information surfaces, there may be additional counts," Okada said.
Whether more animals would be taken depends on the investigation, he said.
Case UpdatesA Salem woman pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges she faces related to the confiscation of three animals at Scamp's Pet Center in April.
Officials seized two dogs and a rabbit from the store in Lancaster Mall on April 10 because of poor health conditions, Salem Lt. Dave Okada said. The dogs were being treated for ringworm, according to Michael Twain, the owner of the pet store chain.
Salem store manager Laura Lien, 59, was cited for animal neglect, Okada said.
But Tuesday, Lien appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to two charges of failing to secure a diseased animal, a violation.
Deputy District Attorney Jean Kunkle said Lien is facing the amended charges because the animals were being treated, but weren't quarantined properly. According to Oregon Revised Statute, a charge of animal neglect requires failure to provide minimal care, which did not apply in this case, Kunkle said. | Source: Statesman Journal - May 20, 2009
Update posted on May 20, 2009 - 3:59PM |
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