King County Animal Care and Control braces for an increase in livestock neglect and cruelty cases

New web page launched to prevent horse cruelty cases

With a shaky economy, high hay prices and winter weather approaching, King County Animal Care and Control staffers are anticipating rough times ahead for some local animals.

"We want to encourage pet and livestock owners to get help early if they're struggling to care for their animals," said Animal Care and Control Sergeant David Morris. "Contact legitimate animal rescue organizations or animal shelters first, to see what options are available before animals start to suffer from neglect or poor nutrition."

To help horse owners in particular, King County Animal Care and Control has created a new Web page that provides contact information on horse care, horse rescue organizations and laws relating to horses in King County: http://www.kingcounty.gov/safety/AnimalServices/horses.aspx.

"Our animal control officers would much rather help early by answering questions and giving referrals to pet owners now rather than investigating animal cruelty or neglect cases later," said Enforcement Coordinator Diana Toledo. "Starving an animal is not only against the law it is extremely painful to the animal."

Just last Friday, a King County Superior Court judge convicted Jean Marie Elledge of animal cruelty for severely neglecting horses in her care. She was sentenced to nine months in jail, a year of community supervision and ordered her not to own any animals for at least five years. The case is one of several horse cruelty cases investigated by King County Animal Care and Control; several other cases have been filed with the Prosecutor this year.

"This sentencing represents the culmination of a case that began in February 2008, after receiving information from Snohomish County Animal Control on a related case with Ms. Elledge," explains King County Animal Care and Control Acting Manager Wendy Keller. "We applaud the efforts of the Sheriff's Office and Prosecutors office for pursuing our case and those of the dedicated volunteers at the Save a Forgotten Equine organization for caring for the rescued horses."

Investigation of possible animal cruelty and neglect are high priorities for King County Animal Care and Control. Since early 2008, one Sergeant has been assigned to work primarily on animal cruelty cases. Possible animal cruelty or neglect in King County should be reported to King County Animal Care and Control. For more information visit www.kingcounty.gov/pets or call 206-296-PETS.