Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office (UCSO) has turned over an animal neglect investigation to the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office for possible prosecution.
On July 30, UCSO responded to a trailer in the 2300 block of N. 1st Place in Hermiston after receiving a report of a possible puppy mill. The deputy contacted a 70-year-old woman living in a travel trailer at that location who stated she bred Yorkshire Terriers.
According to the sheriff’s office, there were several adult dogs, believed to be Yorkshire Terriers, in cages inside the trailer with puppies of various ages. The woman initially volunteered to surrender some of the dogs to a local animal rescue facility.
An investigation was opened for animal neglect and the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office was also notified. During the investigation, deputies contacted the woman again and she eventually voluntarily surrendered a total of 12 dogs into the custody of a local animal rescue facility. A detective returned to the location on Thursday to find the woman’s trailer had been removed from the area and her whereabouts are currently unknown.
