Dogs, newborn puppies abandoned in home
Kalama, WA (US)Incident Date: Friday, Sep 3, 2010
County: Cowlitz
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Jammie Skinner
Kalama police say a woman abandoned two dogs and their newborn puppies in a garbage-strewn home she was being evicted from, and they plan to cite her with animal cruelty if they can locate her.
The dogs are well and staying with an animal foster family. If owner Jammie Skinner doesn't surface by 10:30 a.m. Monday, the six dogs will be put up for adoption, said Kalama Police Chief Bill Hall.
Police were called to the home on the 100 block of North Second Street in Kalama by landlord Rick Graves, who needed help removing the dogs, according to Hall. Graves had evicted Skinner and was waiting for a Cowlitz County Sheriff's deputy to serve the papers when he heard dogs barking inside, Hall said.
Police entered the home, which was not locked, and found a small male Pekinese locked in the bathroom, Hall said. It appeared the dog had been locked in for some time, Hall said, because the room stank of urine and feces. A female Pekinese was found in the bedroom with four tiny newborn puppies. Hall said the puppies "are about the size of my thumb." No water or food had been left with either dog, Hall said.
Power had been cut off to the house three weeks ago. It appeared Skinner took her personal belongings but left the dogs, trash and other items behind. She hasn't been seen in town since early Friday morning, and police believe she left the area, Hall said. If found she'll be cited with a gross misdemeanor, Hall said.
"All of her personal effects are gone," Hall said. "There are some old broken TVs and mounds of garbage and rotting food in the fridge ... and urine and feces throughout the house. The house is just a mess."
Skinner, who frequently comments at City Council and school board meetings and has made "numerous unfounded 911 calls" also left a large sign on her front porch, Hall said. It said "No more" and listed the names of the Kalama mayor, Kalama school superintendent, Cowlitz 5 fire chief and a little league baseball official, Hall said.
"She knew she was out (of the home) and the court orders had been served and this appears to be her last hurrah," he said. "I don't know why you'd take all your stuff and leave your dogs behind though."
The dogs likely will stay with the foster family for several weeks. Anyone interested in adopting them or being put on the list can call the police station after Monday at 360-673-2165. References |
