Hoarding - dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals - Newman Lake, WA

Tuesday, Feb 3, 2004

County: Spokane

Disposition: Convicted

Defendants/Suspects:
» Carol A. McMullen
» James McMullen

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Spokane County animal control officers backed by sheriff's deputies raided a Spokane Valley home Tuesday afternoon to document animal ordinance violations and to rescue dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals believed endangered due to neglect by the owners.

According to the Spokane County Sheriff's Office, Animal Control Officer Jennifer Kline went to the home at 6204 N. Idaho Road January 31st after receiving a tip. She contacted James W. McMullen, 21, and his mother, Carol A. McMullen, 62, at the home.

The tipster had reported to Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services (SCRAPS) that there was an injured horse at the property, as well as three cows with no food or water, rabbits without food and water, and at least 10 dogs at the home.

Kline reported seeing five or six dogs inside the home and two more running loose outside.She was shown the other animals by James McMullen and noted that nearly all had no food or water, nor was there evidence that they had been watered recently.

She found a deceased pig in a pen at the back of the property, and saw the injured horse standing in manure more than a foot deep.

Carol McMullen was cited on April 9th, 2003 with operating an illegal kennel at the property. Animal Control Officer's cited McMullen with 10 counts of dog ordinance violations on that visit.

Animal Control Officer's also investigated James McMullen in 2001 for allegations of animal cruelty and neglect, but on that occasion chose to educate him regarding proper care of animals rather than citing him for any violations.

Acting on the conditions seen by Officer Kline on the 31st, SCRAPS Director Nancy Hill and other investigators raided the residence Tuesday afternoon. A veterinarian accompanied them to the home to determine which animals were endangered, if any, and should be impounded.

Case Updates

In 2004, she was found guilty of 13 misdemeanors related to the inhumane treatment of 61 dogs, cats, rabbits and turtles on her property. Her son, James McMullen, was found guilty of three counts of various poor animal treatment. James McMullen spent a day in jail in 2005 when officers found he violated his probation by keeping more than 10 animals on his property.

Source: Spokesman Review - March 31, 3006 Update posted on Mar 31, 2006 - 8:01AM

References

• MSNBC

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