INCIDENT TYPE: ANIMAL NEGLECT
DATE/TIME: Friday, December 15, 2006 @ 12:53 p.m.
LOCATION: 1130 Harmony Drive NE
BUSINESS: Gwen’s Dog and Cat Grooming
ARRESTED: Gwendolyn Carol Johnson
D.O.B. 10-26-46 (60-years)
1130 Harmony Drive NE
Keizer, Oregon
Arrested for:
(10) Counts of Second Degree Animal Neglect Bail $ 25,000
SUMMARY:
On Friday, December 15, 2006 at about 1:00 p.m. a Keizer Police officer responded to a citizen’s complaint of dogs being kept in an outbuilding at 1130 Harmony Drive NE. The complainant indicated he was concerned for the welfare of the dogs because he had not seen anyone come to or from the outbuilding “all week.”
An officer responded to the location and was attempting to make contact with its occupants when he personally observed at least four (4) dogs that were individually caged on the west side of the residence. These dogs appeared to be in very poor health as if they had not received the minimum amount of care as required by law. “Minimum Care” means care sufficient to preserve the health and well-being of an animal as described in Oregon Revised Statute 167.310 (6).
The officer made contact with a resident who was identified as Gwendolyn Carol Johnson, a 60-year old female who said she resides and operates a dog and cat grooming business at this location.
The officer obtained consent to search the property after advising her of the complaint. The investigating officer discovered a total of eleven (11) dogs, all appeared to be Terriers, on the premises that appeared to be poorly cared for and in deteriorating health. Four (4) dogs were found in individual cages, some filled with urine and feces, on the west side of the residence, one (1) dog in a feces filled cage in the backyard of the residence, one (1) dog in another cage is the backyard of the residence, two (2) dogs in the dog grooming area of the residence, and four (4) dogs were located individually caged inside the outbuilding the complainant originally brought to the officers attention.
The Willamette Valley Humane Society was requested to respond to assist with this investigation and removal of these animals. They responded to the scene and were assisted by the Marion County Dog Control. Ten (10) dogs were removed from the premises and were taken to the Willamette Valley Humane Society for assessment and possible treatment for their health problems. All but one of the animals was voluntarily given to the Willamette Valley Humane Society by Gwendolyn Johnson. The exact condition of each dog is not known at this time. It is not known how serious these health problems are, or if any of these animals will need to be euthanized. The eleventh (11th) dog was released to its owner who returned to the location while officers continued to investigate. The eleventh (11th) dog had apparently been dropped off at the business earlier today to be groomed. Gwendolyn Johnson said she does not own the remaining ten (10) dogs that were removed. She told the investigating officer she takes these dogs from individuals who no longer want them and would provide care for them until she could find a new owner for them.
Gwendolyn Johnson was taken into custody for ten (10) counts of Second Degree Animal Neglect. She was transported to the Marion County Correctional Facility. No photograph is available for release by the Keizer Police Department at this time. Individual request for her photograph can be made of the Marion County Correctional Facility.
Anyone having additional information about this incident is asked to contact Officer Dan Carroll at 503-390-3713 Ext. 3530.
This media release was released on 12-15-06 at 1620 hours. Please refer to Keizer Police Department Incident # 06-12895.
This media release has been submitted by: Captain Jeffrey K. Kuhns
Note: Media releases are generated and disseminated by Keizer Police Department supervisory personnel. If you have questions and this media release was not submitted by the Public Information Officer (see above), and it is not regular business hours, please contact our dispatch center at 503-390-2000 for assistance contacting the supervisor who released this information unless it is an absolute emergency.
# # #
If you have questions please contact the individual who submitted this media release, or contact the department P.I.O., Captain Jeffrey K. Kuhns if that individual is unavailable
Business Office # 503-390-3713, Ext. 3480 or cell # 503-932-7837
(Please no calls between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. except for emergencies)
