Published: Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Pair get year in jail for animal abuse in puppy mill case
A Gold Bar couple who pleaded guilty in a puppy mill case must also pay $31,000 restitution for the dogs' care.
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Courtesy photo
Fred, a toy poodle mix, was rescued from a Gold Bar puppy mill in January 2009. He was adopted by Donna Bogle of Seattle.
EVERETT — When Donna Bogle first adopted Fred, the little white toy poodle mix with big ears, the dog cowered and was frightened of people.
He suffered from serious intestinal problems and veterinarians were forced to operate.
Bogle said the dog likely always will require a special diet and medicine.
Today, a year after Fred was rescued from a multimillion-dollar puppy mill near Gold Bar along with more than 150 other dogs, the dog shows few signs of his former life.
“It's amazing the personality he has after what he's been through,” Bogle said. “He's the neatest little dog.”
On Monday, the Gold Bar-area couple responsible for taking care of Fred and the other dogs were sentenced to a year in jail.
Jason Dean Larsen and Serenna Lynn Larsen, both 38, are expected to begin serving their sentences next month. Both pleaded guilty in November to six counts each of first-degree animal cruelty.
Snohomish County Superior Court Judge George Appel said that Serenna Larsen may serve her time in work release.
The couple also must pay nearly $31,000 restitution to Snohomish County for the cost to care for the rescued animals.
Appel didn't buy defense attorney arguments that the couple had worked as indentured servants.
The dogs were suffering from all manner of disease, Appel said.
Officials said smells of animal urine and feces in the home were overwhelming. Several dead puppies were found in a freezer.
Most of the dogs had matted coats, and like Fred, many suffered from serious health problems.
“It's hard to imagine more misery contained in one place,” the judge said.
Attorneys for the couple said they worked for Snohomish dog breeder Renee Roske. Roske's home was searched by sheriff's deputies and county animal control officials a day after the Larsen's home was raided near Gold Bar. No dogs were seized at Roske's home, but officials did find evidence of illegal drugs.
Roske has not been charged.
A Mount Vernon-area kennel belonging to Roske's parents, Marjorie and Richard Sundberg, also was raided and Skagit County officials seized more than 450 dogs. The Sundbergs face multiple animal cruelty charges in Skagit County. Their trial is scheduled to begin next month.
At the time of the Gold Bar raid, the Larsens were in a financial crisis, defense attorney Gabe Rothstein said. They worked long hours at multiple locations and weren't given the resources to care properly for the dogs.
Jason Larsen just wanted to serve his time and get on with his life, Rothstein told the judge Monday.
Mickey Krom, Serenna Larsen's defense attorney, said she was sorry for the way the animals were treated.
Both Larsens declined opportunities to speak in court on Monday.
“The Larsens are being held responsible for the substantial and considerable suffering of the dogs,” Snohomish County Auditor Carolyn Weikel told the judge.
Nearly the entire county animal control department, a division of the auditor's office, sat through the half-hour hearing Monday.
The Larsens are “going to have a lot of time to think about the pain and suffering of these animals,” county animal control manager Vicki Lubrin said.
Thankfully, most of the dogs have new homes and now live with loving families, she said.
“They get the care that they need,” Lubrin said.
For Fred, the rescued 6-pound toy poodle, he's now treated to lots of walks and trips to the dog park.
He's spoiled with attention, Bogle said.
“I just love him to pieces. He just melts people's hearts,” she said. “They're living creatures. Why would we mistreat a living creature?”
He suffered from serious intestinal problems and veterinarians were forced to operate.
Bogle said the dog likely always will require a special diet and medicine.
Today, a year after Fred was rescued from a multimillion-dollar puppy mill near Gold Bar along with more than 150 other dogs, the dog shows few signs of his former life.
“It's amazing the personality he has after what he's been through,” Bogle said. “He's the neatest little dog.”
On Monday, the Gold Bar-area couple responsible for taking care of Fred and the other dogs were sentenced to a year in jail.
Jason Dean Larsen and Serenna Lynn Larsen, both 38, are expected to begin serving their sentences next month. Both pleaded guilty in November to six counts each of first-degree animal cruelty.
Snohomish County Superior Court Judge George Appel said that Serenna Larsen may serve her time in work release.
The couple also must pay nearly $31,000 restitution to Snohomish County for the cost to care for the rescued animals.
Appel didn't buy defense attorney arguments that the couple had worked as indentured servants.
The dogs were suffering from all manner of disease, Appel said.
Officials said smells of animal urine and feces in the home were overwhelming. Several dead puppies were found in a freezer.
Most of the dogs had matted coats, and like Fred, many suffered from serious health problems.
“It's hard to imagine more misery contained in one place,” the judge said.
Attorneys for the couple said they worked for Snohomish dog breeder Renee Roske. Roske's home was searched by sheriff's deputies and county animal control officials a day after the Larsen's home was raided near Gold Bar. No dogs were seized at Roske's home, but officials did find evidence of illegal drugs.
Roske has not been charged.
A Mount Vernon-area kennel belonging to Roske's parents, Marjorie and Richard Sundberg, also was raided and Skagit County officials seized more than 450 dogs. The Sundbergs face multiple animal cruelty charges in Skagit County. Their trial is scheduled to begin next month.
At the time of the Gold Bar raid, the Larsens were in a financial crisis, defense attorney Gabe Rothstein said. They worked long hours at multiple locations and weren't given the resources to care properly for the dogs.
Jason Larsen just wanted to serve his time and get on with his life, Rothstein told the judge Monday.
Mickey Krom, Serenna Larsen's defense attorney, said she was sorry for the way the animals were treated.
Both Larsens declined opportunities to speak in court on Monday.
“The Larsens are being held responsible for the substantial and considerable suffering of the dogs,” Snohomish County Auditor Carolyn Weikel told the judge.
Nearly the entire county animal control department, a division of the auditor's office, sat through the half-hour hearing Monday.
The Larsens are “going to have a lot of time to think about the pain and suffering of these animals,” county animal control manager Vicki Lubrin said.
Thankfully, most of the dogs have new homes and now live with loving families, she said.
“They get the care that they need,” Lubrin said.
For Fred, the rescued 6-pound toy poodle, he's now treated to lots of walks and trips to the dog park.
He's spoiled with attention, Bogle said.
“I just love him to pieces. He just melts people's hearts,” she said. “They're living creatures. Why would we mistreat a living creature?”
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