Man suspected of animal neglect after puppies found dead

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, April 25, 2018

MONROE — Three puppies were found dead in a Monroe house this week, in a case where the owner is suspected of neglecting a litter of 10 dogs, according to police.

Police were called Monday to the 15400 block of 182nd Avenue for a report of a dead dog. They found one small black puppy inside of a box. The tenant was not home, but a witness told officers there were more sick dogs inside in need of help.

Officers returned to the home Tuesday to talk with the owner. He declined to take the dogs to a veterinarian, so officers came back later in the day with a warrant, according to police.

Two more dead puppies and seven living puppies were recovered from the home. One of the puppies died later. They were in “varying degrees of neglect,” according to Monroe police. All were three weeks old.

The surviving dogs were taken to the Everett Animal Shelter. A veterinarian plans necropsies on the puppies that died. Animal cruelty charges are pending further investigation.

In the house, officers also found suspected methamphetamine and a military-style Springfield Armory rifle. The gun had been taken in a burglary in Granite Falls, police said. The puppy owner had a felony on his record, restricting him from owning guns.

Police arrested the Monroe man, 30, for investigation of possession of meth, unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm.

Caleb Hutton: 425-339-3454; chutton@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @snocaleb.