Officials are checking into possible ties between a kennel with 80 dogs raided Friday and an illegal breeding operation.
STANWOOD — More than 80 dogs were found Friday in a Stanwood area kennel during a raid by animal control officers.
No dogs were seized, but living conditions for the dogs were not good and officials suspect the property was being used as a puppy mill, Snohomish County Animal Control manager Vicki Lubrin said.
The kennel was in the 8400 block of 180th Street NW. Snohomish County permits a maximum of 25 dogs on a single property with the proper license, so even if the kennel was approved, it had three times the dogs allowed.
Officials are trying to determine if there’s a connection between the Stanwood kennel and on ongoing investigation into what’s been reported as a multi-million-dollar illegal dog breeding operation based in Snohomish, with dogs seized near Gold Bar and in Skagit County.
On Jan. 16, animal control officers and Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies rescued 155 dogs living in squalor at a home near Gold Bar. Two properties in Snohomish were searched, which led to a the seizure of around 450 dogs from a kennel near Mount Vernon.
Charges were filed Thursday in Skagit County against the owners of the Mount Vernon kennel.
No charges have been filed in Snohomish County, where the investigation continues.
Animal control officers had been suspicious of the Stanwood kennel, believing it was operating at a much larger capacity than it was licensed for, Lubrin said.
Acting on a tip that dogs were being concealed during the routine license inspections, officers went to the Stanwood property Friday afternoon, Lubrin said.
“Sure enough, when the animal control officers went to the property unannounced, there was a shuffle to move dogs and they were caught with 82,” she said.
Animals are seized only when officials believe the dogs are in immediate danger, Lubrin said. While conditions were not good, there was no immediate threat to the dogs’ safety.
It’s likely there are additional puppy mills operating in Snohomish County, Lubrin said, adding that officials are following up on leads.
She said the best way to prevent illegal breeding is to purchase dogs from a reputable breeder or adopt a pet from an animal shelter.
Stanwood is no where on the same page as Ms. Roske not even the same book. Stanwood’s kennel is operated with the knowledge of 42+ yrs. of experience. The living conditions are better than the “not good” comment from Vicki Lubrin who is only 2yrs into this field or shall i say she told Mr Jay Crockit the man that knows best who has been inspecting this kennel for 35+yrs. There is NO PUPPY MILL just a breeder bettering her breed. And a friend helping another friend who just had a major surgery to take cancerous organs out, by watching some dogs of hers. Every single dog has plenty of food, water , and ground to run, covered area if weather is bad, etc. AND SPAYED AND NEUTERED HAS BEEN THE WAY SINCE DAY ONE. Man’s best friend yes that why I personally would not by any dog unless the breeder knows her breed. 42+ yrs. EXP. that stands out on a resume, or profile, etc….
I find your comment very repulsive because you are shifting blame to everyone except for yourself. In your comment, you take absolutely NO responsibility for your actions.
You are the one that put yourself in this position. You are the one that is in violation of the county’s codes for kennels. You are the one that chose to house 82 dogs when you know you’re only allowed 25. You really may not be a “puppy mill” but you still are a problem and guilty of a misdemeanor under Snohomish County code if only for the shear amount of dogs that you admit to having housed at your place.
Just a question for you, how many dogs were your friend’s dogs of the 82 that were there? At least one of you is in serious violation of the county kennel codes regardless because even divided in half you would each have more than 25 dogs. That still makes it a misdemeanor and punishable to fines even if the dogs were in better shape then Vicki reported to the media.
How many people do you have on staff taking care of these 82 dogs? How many square feet do you allow for the dogs to move around?
You really shouldn’t try to shift blame on others for you being in violation of the code. A lay person can tell if conditions are “not good” in regards to pets.
How do you have a breeding business, as it appears on your website ( http://www.partipoodles7.com ) if all of your dogs are spayed and neutered?
42+ years of experience should tell you to stay within the kennel laws for the county that you live in so that you aren’t violating any laws and don’t tarnish your reputation. You should know better, shame on you. You may not meet the definition of a “puppy mill” but you sure did get caught with your pants down.
To Admin 25 out of the 82 dogs are mine my friend who lives in shelton where the codes do not pertain now really how could you ask such a dumb question (How do you have a breeding business, as it appears on your website ( http://www.partipoodles7.com ) if all of your dogs are spayed and neutered?) I mean really. The last month was absoulutly HELL snowed in for 3 weeks busting ass. And now being able fix what the snow damaged so before u give your opinion do your research
You are right that Mason county doesn’t have kennel laws, it’s a shame. Glad you brought that to our attention, we’ll have to get our more southern folks working on that. You explained that part, but failed to answer any of the other questions that I posed to you.
I have done my research. You are guilty of a misdemeanor per Snohomish County Code 6.06.008 Limitation on Number of Dogs: It is unlawful for any person to own, keep or maintain on their premises more than 25 dogs. Licensed pet shops, boarding facilities or animal shelters shall not be subject to this limitation.
You totally skirted and didn’t answer any of the other questions that we would all like to know. If you’re going to come here to defend yourself then you shouldn’t place blame everywhere else but yourself. I had some simple questions and you refuse to answer them. That makes you appear disreputable.
I don’t doubt that you were trying to help out a friend and while that’s noble, that’s too many dogs and put your kennel license in jeopardy. I believe your place is probably set up for the 25 dogs that you have, we just want to know how you are now caring for 82 dogs and how you can rebut Vicki’s comment that the living conditions are “not good” especially if you have snow damage. You stated in your post that your dogs are spayed and neutered however you’re a breeder so that’s also not true.
Another question, when animal control showed up, why was there a “shuffle” to conceal the extra dogs? If you were just babysitting for a friend as you say why wouldn’t you just explain that to the investigators, especially if all your inspections had been fine for the previous years as you claim?
And I know all about busting ass in the snow. Where I live we got over 4 feet of snow just in December and still have 2 feet of snow on the ground and it’s snowing again tonight. I have 4 horses and 3 dogs and have to deal with snow almost 5 months out of the year. We had to dig our hay pile out almost every day of December, had to shovel shed and house roofs a few times just in December alone and had to shovel out paths in the snow almost every day of December just to get anything done. You talk about being snowed in, there was only one day out of all of that where I couldn’t get out of my driveway to get to work and we get snow a minimum of a foot at a time.
We just want the truth. You came here to talk about the news story, so let’s hear the truth of the matter.
25 OF THOSE DOGS ARE ADULT BREEDING DOGS EACH OF MY RUNS ARE 30FT IN LENGTH , ANOTHER SIX DOGS ADULT DOGS, MY ILL FRIEND HAS ALREADY PLACED IN HOMES. HER DOGS REMAINING ARE MOTHERS AND PUPS WHICH THEY COUNTED AND INCLUDED THOSE PUPPIES IN THAT COUNT WHICH THEY HAVE NEVER COUNTED PUPPIES EVER IN MY 41YRS UNLESS PUPS ARE OVER 5 MONTHS, DEFINITION OF SPAYED/NEUTERED: PUPS THAT ARE SOLD TO GOOD LOVING HOMES FOR PETS ONLY, ALSO GO UP TO DATE SHOTS,VET CHECK, SOCIALIZED . STAFF! ME, MYSELF , AND I 24/7 I HAVE ANSWERED YOUR QUESTIONS HAVE A GOOD NIGHT , THANK YOU.
I had to register and comment on this one. I have been keeping an eye on this site (Thanks for creating it and opening everyones eyes)
But, I have to say, its awfully funny that when someone gets caught with their hand in the cookie jar they only have the allowed amount? You say you only have 25 dogs??? Seems kinda obvious to me. Regardless of how many dogs you own and how many your friend owned, Having 82 dogs in a single home is ILLEGAL.
and that’s your RedneckRealityCheck
Kinda reminds me of that joke about bringing a knife to a gun fight. Somebody came very unprepared for the fight….
Well Again I will have to jump in, You say that “only” 25 dogs were yours? Well I hope that they put you in a small cell with “only” 25 of the meanest prisoners that there is, Instead of 80, because that wouldnt be fair to you.
You can sing your sad song in any note you want, that only works on Country songs and american idol. It doesnt work to well in this case. The one thing you fail to realize. THE ANIMALS HAVE VOICES NOW. and they will be heard.
So regardless if you had 25 0r 30, Like the admin said, How do you have a breeding business, if all of your dogs are spayed and neutered?
O thats right, You dont have a breeding business, Well at least not anymore.
All MY DOGS ARE NOT SPAYED AND NEUTERED THE PUPPIES I SELL GO SPAYED AND NEUTERED WHAT DO U NOT UNDERSTAND? OBVIOUSLY U DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DOG AND A PUPPY
Only the truth -
The shift key is your friend. No one will ever take you seriously without proper punctuation and grammar, and the overuse of capital letters is just plain rude.
Also, I just want you to know that I think you are scum.
There’s a special place in hell for people who abuse animals.
If I ran the world, you would spend the rest of your life locked in a kennel just big enough for you to turn around in. You could lie in your own filth, go days without food or water, and maybe, just maybe I’d get someone to let you out of your cage every so often. Maybe brush your hair for a few minutes. Then when we locked you back in your cage, you could sit and wish for just that few minutes of happiness that you were allowed. The only happiness you’d ever have hope of knowing.
What you did to those poor dogs makes me feel physically ill. What do dogs ever ask for? Just someone to love them and treat them nicely. A warm place to sleep and enough to eat and drink. Is that really too much to ask? You took the trust of an innocent animal and shattered it. What is the chance these dogs will ever be rehabilitated and transitioned into a loving home? How will they ever trust another human again after what you’ve done? You scarred these animals, you you hollowed their souls one miserable day at a time, and they didn’t deserve it.
You should be ashamed of yourself. What you did was wrong. So wrong. My heart breaks for those poor little babies that just wanted someone to love them.
And you’ll never get it. You are so greedy, and so screwed up, you’ll never see why what you did was wrong.
All that’s left for me to do is pity you.
It must be awful to be so mentally defected that you could do what you did to these poor, defenseless animals.
Karma’s a bitch, dear, I hope you’re prepared for what you’ve got coming to you.
Only the truth ~SHAME on you! My vote goes with munchies! And please tell us why when we buy a puppy through you we are forced to sign a contract and provide proof that the puppy is indeed spayed/neutered? Is it so you can over-breed your poor dogs, just to sell more puppies?? I believe that’s known as greed! Karma IS a bitch, and you have more than earned what’s coming to you…
I grew up in Stanwood and Camano Island, there is NO room over there for that many dogs, that’s just disgusting.