The Marion County Animal Control Department has issued multiple citations to five people involved in two animal abuse cases in the past week. In both cases, animal control found deceased dogs and those in poor condition due to mistreatment. Taking in the dogs has overpopulated the animal control facility, resulting in it being shut down to further intakes until some of the other dogs can be adopted or moved out.
Three residents of a home on D’Ann Drive were arrested Thursday after nine deceased dogs were found outside the residence and 14 others that were still alive. They are 56-year-old Mary Williams, Ryan Williams, and Cally Smith. All were ticketed on multiple counts of both felony and misdemeanor cruelty to animals. The three were cited on multiple counts of felony aggravated cruelty to animals and misdemeanor cruelty to animals. Mary Williams and Cally Smith were released on notice to appear in court. Ryan Williams was also arrested by Centralia Police on an outstanding Marion County no-bond major traffic warrant and was taken to the Marion County Jail to await court action on the warrant.
A neighbor had called Centralia Police after nearly hitting one of the emaciated dogs with her vehicle and because of the growing smell. Animal Control Coordinator Whitney Purcell says the dogs were at varying degrees of decomposition and apparently had been thrown outside when they died. Three nursing dogs were found, but only one litter of puppies. The 14 dogs in need of care were taken to the animal control facility for treatment and recovery. Animal control was told the occupants of the home didn’t know how many animals they had.
In a second call on Adams Street in Junction City last Sunday, animal control found one dead dog and seven others in need of care. Both occupants of the home, 27-year-old Hailey Mattmiller and 23-year-old Alex Roethiseeger, were ticketed for two counts of failure to provide medical care to prevent suffering, failure to dispose of a deceased animal, and aggravated cruelty to an animal.
With the 21 dogs in need of rehabilitation, Purcell said they had no choice but to close the facility to other intakes. She hopes the situation will encourage adoption of their animals that are ready for their forever homes. Purcell says that those ready for adoption have their photos on the Marion County Animal Control Facebook Page.
