11 starving puppies abandoned after drug bust Wapato, WA (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 County: Yakima
Disposition: Alleged Case Images: 1 files available
Alleged: Name Undisclosed
A pet rescue group is appealing to the public for help defraying veterinary costs for 11 starving puppies that were abandoned after a drug bust southeast of Yakima.
Randy Sperle, director of
Going on three weeks since the rescue, three of the puppies came down with canine parvovirus. One died, while the other two are showing signs of recovery. Both had to be hospitalized.
Sperle said the other puppies remain at risk from parvo and that each treatment costs about $500. The dogs have also been treated for sarcoptic mange and for giardia, an intestinal infection.
"Right now we're keeping our fingers crossed that the rest of them don't come down with parvo," he said. The dogs have been treated by Dr. Ken Lust at the Summitview Cowiche Veterinary Clinic.
"It's all very expensive," Sperle said of treatment. "Our vet gives us an excellent discount, but he can't give it to us free..."
According to court records, the Konnowac Pass site was the scene of a marijuana bust in late June.
Armed with a search warrant, agents with the Law Enforcement Against Drugs task force reported they found an indoor grow of 70 plants in a rental house at the site.
They arrested one of the residents, a 36-year-old male who said he was growing the marijuana for a housemate with a medical marijuana card. Two AK-47 assault rifles, including one with a double 30-round magazine, and a shotgun were also seized in the raid.
On Friday the suspect pleaded guilty to a charge of manufacturing marijuana and was sentenced to three months in jail (with credit for 44 days time-served). He had no previous criminal history.
It remains unclear how many people besides the suspect lived in the home, when it was abandoned and who was responsible for the dogs.
Sperle said he is interested in pursuing animal cruelty or neglect charges against the tenants but isn't sure if it's feasible at this stage.
As for the puppies, he said his group has already found loving foster homes for them and that the focus right now is on restoring the dogs to health and socializing them for adoption.
Money is the real obstacle, he said. Secure donations can be made by going to the group's Facebook page --
"It doesn't matter to me whether it's $5 or $500," Sperle said. "Every little bit helps." References |