EVERETT — Multiple counts of first-degree animal cruelty were filed Tuesday against a Gold Bar-area couple, the first criminal action taken against some of the people allegedly responsible for keeping nearly 160 dogs in sordid conditions.
The action in Everett District Court comes a few days after similar charges were filed in Skagit County.
Tuesday’s charges also are part of an expanding investigation into a multimillion-dollar puppy mill operation.
In total, 600 dogs have been seized from properties in Snohomish and Skagit counties.
The case began Jan. 16 when Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies and animal control officers raided the home of Jason D. Larsen and his wife, Serenna Lynn Larsen, both 37.
The couple was charged Tuesday with six counts each of first-degree animal cruelty, all felonies. If convicted, they could face prison time and fines.
Officials found dogs living in the Larsens’ home in what police described as “deplorable” conditions. The dogs, mostly small breeds, were covered with urine and feces.
There were so many dogs crammed into small crates in the home’s attic, the house shook each time the animals barked or howled, according to a witness.
Several dead dogs were found in a freezer.
Snohomish County sheriff’s officials confronted Jason Larsen during the raid. They said evidence appeared to connect him to two sisters from Snohomish, both “well known in Snohomish County for operating illegal and unlicensed kennels for the purpose of mass production of puppies for sale,” documents show.
Property records show that Mary Ann Holleman owns the home near Gold Bar where the dogs were found.
Larsen said he paid Holleman cash rent during meetings at an Everett Denny’s.
Sheriff’s officials told Larsen they were convinced the property is actually owned by Holleman’s sister, Renee Roske, the suspected leader of the puppy-breeding group.
Roske’s mother, Marjorie Sundberg, and her husband were charged in Skagit County with four counts of animal cruelty. Animal control officers seized about 450 dogs from the Sundberg’s Mount Vernon-area kennel.
Roske also is the registered owner of Wags ‘n’ Wiggles, a Snohomish breeding company.
Larsen allegedly told deputies the kennel operation raked in millions of dollars annually.
Snohomish County Animal Control manager Vicki Lubrin said most of the rescued dogs are recovering well.
Still, a veterinarian had to humanely kill seven of the dogs, another dog died and many have required surgery for a variety of ailments.
Seven puppies have been born while under the county’s care, Lubrin said.
County animal control officers on Friday raided a Stanwood-area kennel, where more than 80 dogs were found, well above the 25-dog maximum allowed in county. No dogs were seized there.
Officials are investigating whether there’s a connection to the Gold Bar-area case, Lubrin said.
The Larsens are scheduled to make their first court appearance Feb. 24.
The investigation continues, Snohomish County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Lisa Paul said.
Herald writer Diana Hefley contributed to this report.
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