4 Dogs, 2 Horses found dead or near death
Colbert, WA (US)Incident Date: Monday, Dec 27, 1999
County: Spokane
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Sharon Wilkening
Sharon Wilkening, the owner of four dogs and two horses found dead or dying at her Colbert trailer will have animal cruelty charges filed against her.
Bob Smoldt animal control officer said he found the neglected animals on Dec 27 after a neighbor called to alert the authorities. Smolt removed three of the dogs. All were chained up without access to food or water.
Smolt said, "One was dead, one should've been dead and one was pretty bad off. That dog should weigh 60 or 65 pounds. Its actual weight is 33 pounds. It's just a rag."
The following day, Smolt and animal control officer Becky Nelson returned to the trailer off Fire Valley Road and removed the dead fourth dog and the two horses.
The horses' water was frozen solid and they had no access to hay on Monday. The future of the horses is uncertain, they are under the care of a veterinarian.
The three surviving dogs are in such bad shape they are likely to have to be killed.
Sharon Wilkening will receive four criminal citations for failing to feed and care for the dogs. She probably won't be cited for neglecting the horses because she has agreed to turn them over to the officials permanently.
Wilkening had been cited for neglect in the past. Last fall, animal control officers contacted her after neighbors complained the horses weren't being fed. Wilkening, in her early 50s, told officials she had fallen on hard times and was trying to take care of her ailing parents, herself and her animals on a limited income.
At the time Wilkening agreed to feed the horses regularly and allow animal control officers to check on them regularly.
Becky Nelson said, "She had been doing all right up until now. I'm really disappointed that it didn't work out." References- Spokane Spokesman-Review - Dec 29, 1999
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