Animals seized in Union after welfare check

A Union woman was arrested Oct. 18 on 15 counts of animal cruelty after deputies performed a welfare check and discovered numerous animals, including dogs, cats, sheep, goats and horses living in deplorable conditions, according to a Mason County Sheriff’s Office probable cause document.

Jenny King, 63, said the animals belonged to her and “stated nothing was wrong with her dogs and failed to acknowledge the animals’ condition,” MCSO Detective Drogmund wrote in the document.

King was allegedly caring for homeowner Brian Cook. Cook’s friend called deputies Oct. 11, requesting they check on Cook. The friend said, “Brian was very sick, the house was full of animals that were not receiving proper care, and that the house was full of feces and in ‘deplorable condition,’ ” according to the document.

When deputies and medics arrived at the home on Trudder Lane in Union, they found Cook in poor condition and took him to Mason General Hospital, according to court documents.

“Brian was found to be in poor condition and had been unable to move from his chair for at least a day, if not several days. Numerous small breed white dogs were living in the house. Deputies found the house full of clutter and feces with an overpowering foul odor emanating from the unsanitary conditions, which was consistent with a hoarding situation,” the probable cause document states.

Deputies returned with a search warrant, finding the livestock, and called Center Valley Animal Rescue (CVAR) for assistance, according to court documents.

A total of 67 live animals were removed, including 34 dogs, nine puppies, seven sheep, two horses and two cats were taken from the property, according to the probable cause document.

The dogs and puppies all had flea infestation, and “some of the puppies will likely die from the neglectful conditions and lack of care,” Drogmund wrote.

The sheep and horses were not getting proper nutrition from the baled hay and were thin and emaciated, a veterinarian called to the scene told deputies.

CVAR worked with other animal rescue groups, including Pasado’s Safe Haven, to remove and care for the animals.

“We brought 10 dogs, 7 sheep, and 14 goats back to our sanctuary this week, and we assisted with transporting many more to safety. Our veterinary team is treating the immediate medical needs of the animals in our care, including malnutrition, dehydration, and severe fleas. Many of the goats and sheep are pregnant. The animals are considered ‘live evidence’ in an active criminal case so we cannot share photos or more details at this time. We are working to get them stable and healthy,” Pasado’s said in a Facebook post.

A petition for protection order was filed by Robert Cook on behalf of Brian Cook against King on Oct. 14.

“Jenny King is a serious risk to Brian’s health and safety. She abandoned him without water/food for days. He was transported to Mason General Hospital via ambulance. The medical team called law enforcement to the house,” Robert Cook wrote in the petition.

King and Brian Cook had been in a romantic relationship and lived together, but King had been asked to leave the house “multiple times over the last few years,” the petition states.

“She has been using Brian Cook’s property to house illegally animals in very poor living conditions,” according to the petition.

Judge David Stevens signed a temporary protection order against King.

King’s initial arraignment on the animal cruelty arrest is Monday in Mason County Superior Court before Judge Daniel Goodell.