BY MICHAEL BOOTH
GAZETTE-TIMES REPORTER | Posted: Saturday, December 22, 2007 12:00 am
North Albany woman will surrender claim to 103 animals
More than 100 dogs and puppies that were seized from the residence of a North Albany woman in April - including some born soon afterward - can remain in their adoptive homes.
Carol Brower, who was arrested on April 30 on several counts of animal neglect, agreed to a plea bargain Friday that includes surrendering any claim to the 86 dogs seized from her possession. Six of the dogs subsequently gave birth, bringing the total to 103.
"So many people stepped forward to adopt the dogs from foster care," Benton County District Attorney John Haroldson said. "Until the case reached a disposition, there was uncertainty if the dogs would become a permanent member of their families."
Brower pleaded guilty to 10 counts of animal neglect. She is prohibited from owning any domestic animals for five years and she agreed to forfeit all the dogs and puppies seized. She must submit to a psychological evaluation and follow-up treatment. She was ordered to have no contact with the dogs seized from her.
In exchange, she will not serve any jail time.
Benton County Sheriffs deputies responded to Brower's North Albany property last April to investigate her theft complaint. When they arrived, they saw and documented unsanitary conditions.
Animal control officers and Humane Society personnel were onsite when police returned to arrest Brower.
"There were tons of feces and lots of dogs," Heartland Humane Society executive director Kerry Mullin said at the time.
Rich Wendland said Brower's residence was in the second-worst condition he had seen in 16 years as a Benton County Animal Control Officer.
When the dogs were seized, they had mattered fur and were unaccustomed to human contact, witnesses said.