By Kate Reardon
Herald Writer
ISLAND COUNTY — A Camano Island couple filed court papers Tuesday stating they are innocent of mistreating about 75 collies rescued earlier this month from what officials have described as filthy kennels at their home.
Karen K. and Paul R. Chestney, through their attorney, entered innocent pleas in Island County District Court in Oak Harbor by filing a waiver of arraignment.
A pretrial hearing is set for June 18. Trial is set for July 18.
Island County officials allege the couple 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 Chestneys did not return a phone call from The Herald Tuesday.
The dogs are staying in shelters and foster homes on Whidbey and Camano islands. Seven of the dogs are in Purdy at a prison pet partnership program.
Neither the Chestneys nor their attorney appeared in court Tuesday, which is typical and permitted by district court rules, prosecutor Greg Banks said.
The Chestneys were each cited with one count of animal cruelty in the second degree, a misdemeanor. If convicted, each faces up to 90 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines, as well as an additional animal cruelty penalty of $1,000.
"We’re continuing to evaluate the case," Banks said.
The collies were removed May 5 from the Chestney home in the 400 block of Stein Lane following a police investigation of gunshots fired in the area. Sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Legasse said at the time that he found "troubling" and "unsanitary" conditions at the home.
The community has come to the support of the dogs, with dozens of people interested in adopting them.
"I hope we are able to put the dogs up for adoption and … show them what their life is all about," said Shari Bibich, Whidbey Animal Improvement Foundation shelter manager.
Bibich is in charge of 32 of the dogs, which are at various locations on Whidbey Island. She said veterinarians checked each dog. The dogs were underweight by 15 to 20 pounds, she said.
Karen Chestney has been cited before for the care of her animals.
The most serious incident occurred in February 1998, when the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office cited her for operating an unlicensed commercial kennel near Arlington in a condition that deputies deemed unsanitary, nauseous, foul or offensive, all in violation of county code.
She paid a $150 fine.
You can call Herald Writer Kate Reardon at 425-339-3455 or send e-mail to reardon@heraldnet.com.
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