Time to prosecute animal abuse cases

DONNA SNOW | Olympia • Published January 06, 2013 Modified January 05, 2013

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Thank you for your recent front page article on “Rescued Rosie” – the abused horse that was seized by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office after suffering from malnourishment, pneumonia and lice infestation. We are fortunate in Thurston County to have officers to investigate reports of animal neglect and cruelty. The Sheriff’s Office has taken these cases seriously and seized animals so they can be provided with food, medications, and proper care by Thurston County Animal Services and Hooved Animal Rescue of Thurston County.

Animals seized from situations of neglect and abuse deserve a chance to be adopted into a caring environment with proper care. These are living, breathing, social animals – not impounded vehicles. While 57 animals are being held as part of criminal investigations, the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office has failed to file timely charges, even after solid evidence for these cases has been submitted – some rising to felony-level charges. Those who commit crimes of animal cruelty often move on to abuse children and vulnerable adults. Now is the time for the prosecutor’s office to take action and give these cases the priority they deserve.

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