LINCOLN -- A woman faces eight counts of felony animal cruelty and 62 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty after the Washington County sheriff's office seized more than 65 dogs and other animals from her property.
Debbie Cain, 62, was taken into custody Wednesday as the sheriff's deputies, assisted by other agencies, rescued 67 dogs, eight goats, one pony and one rabbit from Cain's home at 120 S. Arkansas 45, just past the U.S. 62 intersection going toward Cane Hill.
Cain was being held Thursday at the Washington County jail with no bail or arraignment date set.
Law enforcement officials, animal control officers and representatives with Animal League of Washington County worked in 90-degree heat to photograph, tag with collars and log the animals. The dogs were taken to various veterinarian offices for checkups and treatment.
All animals have been placed in safe homes, according to a news release Thursday from the office of the Washington County judge, Joseph Wood. Wood acknowledged Tammy Harp of the Washington County Animal Shelter for helping coordinate the placement of the animals.
Cpl. Lori Hodges, supervisor of the animal control division, said the sheriff's office received complaints about the property and she did a conditions check Monday. Hodges said the animals were living in "very poor conditions" and the office decided to act.
A warrant was issued Wednesday to seize the animals. Others assisting include four officers from the Prairie Grove Police Department, Lincoln's animal-control officer and Farmington's animal-control officer.
Carmen Nelson, director of the Animal League of Washington County, said the league has been involved with the ongoing case.
Most of the dogs were miniature pinschers and Yorkies. Some were in cages in the house, and others were in cages behind the house. One officer said dogs were all over the property, and some animals were dead.
The dogs were living in their own feces and urine, and many need veterinary care, Nelson said. She said she saw dogs with skin diseases, cataracts and fur that was matted because the dogs hadn't been groomed or brushed. Some of the females were in poor health because they had delivered many litters.
The house was "pretty much unbreathable," Nelson said.
Another officer said the inside of the house was "ungodly."
Hodges said the sheriff's office asked Cain to relinquish her animals to the county, but she refused. Until Cain releases the animals, they will have to be held as evidence. Hodges said she's working with different veterinarians to keep the animals temporarily.
Cain is the defendant in a civil lawsuit filed by Lincoln and Washington County because she hasn't complied with numerous orders to clean her property.
Metro on 06/15/2018