By Kate Reardon
Herald Writer
CAMANO ISLAND — The owners of 75 collies rescued this week from filthy kennels at a home could face jail time and hundreds of dollars in fines if convicted of animal cruelty, Island County officials said Thursday.
Paul R. and Karen K. Chestney of Camano Island have each been cited with one count of animal cruelty in the second degree, a misdemeanor. Each faces up to 90 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines, said Greg Banks, Island County prosecuting attorney. If convicted, the couple could also face an additional animal cruelty penalty of $1,000, he said.
Arraignment is set for 1:30 p.m. May 21 at Island County District Court in Oak Harbor, when the couple will be expected to enter pleas to the charges.
Island County officials allege the two failed to provide necessary conditions for their dogs such as food, water, shelter, rest, sanitation, ventilation, space and medical attention. As a result, officials charge the animals suffered unnecessary or unjustifiable pain.
The collies were removed from the Chestney home in the 400 block of Stein Lane following a police investigation Sunday of gunshots fired in the area. Chestney called police because she believed a neighbor had fired shots at three of her dogs.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Legasse has said he found "troubling" and "unsanitary" conditions at the home.
Dave Vasconi, a Marysville police community service officer, helped rescue the dogs on Sunday from feces-filled cages.
"The urine stench was so incredible," he said of his visit to the home. "I had to cover my eyes."
Community support for the dogs has been outstanding.
"All these people who are responding are animal lovers," Vasconi said. "Animals rely on us to have a quality of life, and that’s a fact. They expect us to feed them, water them, keep them clean and to love them. These animals are helpless without us."
The couple could not be reached for comment.
It’s not the first time Karen Chestney has faced scrutiny over animal care. The most serious previous incident occurred in 1998, when the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office cited the woman for operating an unlicensed commercial kennel near Arlington in a condition that deputies deemed unsanitary and in violation of county code.
The woman initially pleaded innocent. She later paid a $150 fine after prosecutors moved to dismiss allegations that her kennel was unsanitary.
Island County deputies have also twice cited the woman for allowing noise from her kennel to create a public disturbance. She paid nearly $300 in fines in 2000, court records show.
Following a disturbance call about 18 months ago, animal control provided Chestney with a letter requiring her to upgrade her animal’s living quarters. She was also required to license her 42 dogs, said Dianna Blakely, Camano Island animal control officer.
Officials said they are not sure of the future of the dogs. That will likely be decided by a judge.
You can call Herald Writer Kate Reardon at 425-339-3455 or send e-mail to reardon@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
