32 kittens abandoned in plastic bins
Portland, OR (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Aug 9, 2005
County: Multnomah
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Carol Richter
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
Thirty-two kittens and young cats were found abandoned on the morning of Aug 9 on the doorsteps of the Oregon Humane Society. The felines were sitting in their own urine and feces inside plastic storage bins. They were left with no food, water or information.
"This person recklessly endangered these cats' lives and broke the law," Susan Mentley of OHS said. "OHS is fully prepared to help people who need to find a new home for their pets. However, when animals are irresponsibly abandoned, it jeopardizes the ability of OHS to help other animals who come to us."
OHS currently has 166 cats available and is urging adoption to make room for the new felines, which will be up for adoption in a few days. The agency is also looking for donations of quality cat food and clay litter, as well as money to help spay and neuter and microchip the cats.
Animal abandonment is Class B misdemeanor, punishable by $2,000 in fines and up to six months in jail. Anyone with information about the cats is asked to call the OHS hotline at (503) 285-7722, ext. 214.
Case UpdatesCarol Richter, 58, is not allowed to own any more pets. She appeared in Multnomah County Court. As a condition of her continued release, the judge ruled that Richter cannot own any animals.
If convicted, she faces up to 12 years in prison.
Richter confessed to dumping the cats outside the Oregon Humane Society in the early morning hours of August 9th, said Kathy Covey, an OHS spokesperson.
Within three days of the abandonment, a tip to the OHS animal cruelty hotline led a humane society investigator to Richter's home.
The 32 cats were scheduled to be spayed and neutered and provided with any medical attention they need. Several had ringworm. Most were made available for adoption. | Source: KGW - Sept 15, 2005
Update posted on Sep 19, 2005 - 9:11PM |
Portland, OR � The Oregon Humane Society's Humane Investigations Department found the person who dumped 32 young cats at OHS's doorstep on Tuesday, August 9. Within three days of the abandonment, a tip to the Cruelty Hotline led Lt. Randy Covey (OHS's lead investigation officer) to a home in Northeast Portland. Carol Richter (58 years old) confessed to dumping the cats at OHS in the early morning hours of August 9 and signed over ownership of the 32 cats enabling OHS to place them out for adoption. The Oregon Humane Society issued a citation for 32 counts of Animal Abandonment (see below) at approximately 10:20 am today. Richter's arraignment is scheduled for September 15, 2005, in Multnomah County
Most other animal sheltering facilities would have been unable to devote the resources to take in an unanticipated large volume of cats in one day, especially those with special needs, and when the shelter is at full capacity. "This was a preventable crisis. With just a little planning, OHS could have helped Ms. Richter with no laws broken," comments Susan Mentley, Operations Director of the Oregon Humane Society. "Through the generous funding of OHS donors, we are able to rescue, care for, rehabilitate, and find homes for thousands of unwanted animals, including these young cats."
OHS will now work with Richter to help her spay/neuter and find homes for her remaining cats.
Thanks to Governor Kulongoski's renewal of the OHS Humane Investigators' Special Agent Commission, OHS is able to continue to protect the animals of this state while providing proper pet owner education and resources to citizens in need.
STATUS OF THE CATS: The 32 cats will all be spayed or neutered and provided with any medical attention they need. Several have ringworm and will not be placed out for adoption at this time. Twenty-five of the cats are available for adoption and can be viewed on the OHS web site at
THE LAW: Animal abandonment is Class B Misdemeanor with penalties of up to $2,500 in fines and up to 6 months in jail for each count. A person commits the crime of animal abandonment if he or she intentionally leaves a domestic animal at a location without providing for the animals' continued care. It is no defense that the animal was abandoned at or near an animal shelter if the person did not make reasonable arrangements for the care of the animal. (ORS 167.340) | Source: OHS News Release
Update posted on Aug 18, 2005 - 2:41PM |
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