A new team of Clark County Animal Protection and Control officers, including two officers hired last month, is leading the way as the county places renewed emphasis on investigating and prosecuting animal cruelty cases.

Several cases during the past year involving cows, horses, dogs and birds highlight the county’s commitment:

January 2022: Twenty cows were removed from a Battle Ground-area property due to owner neglect. A veterinarian was forced to euthanize two cows on the property due to their poor condition. Several cow carcasses were found on the property. One month later, Clark County Animal Protection and Control, in partnership with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, returned to the property to execute a search warrant. Earlier this month, the property owner was arrested and faces two felony counts of first-degree animal cruelty. The 20 cows removed in January were taken to Rocking B Farms in the Ridgefield area for treatment and then placed with responsible owners.
November 2021: County animal control and the sheriff’s office executed a search warrant at a Ridgefield-area property where 44 birds of various species were seized due to unsanitary conditions and lack of food and water. Some birds had been repeatedly allowed to run at large, which resulted in them being injured or killed on Northeast Delfel Road. The birds were taken to Rocking B Farms for treatment before they were placed with new owners.
October 2021: County animal control and the sheriff’s office executed a search warrant at a Washougal-area property where horses were found in unsanitary conditions, with no clean water or adequate feed. Four stallions, six mares, all in different states of pregnancy, and two weanlings were seized. The county worked with Rocking B Farms, a local veterinarian and a specialist in equine hoof care to ensure the neglected animals received treatment, shelter, food and water. The property’s owner was arrested.
September 2021: County animal control and the sheriff’s office executed a search warrant at a Vancouver-area property. Six adult dogs and five puppies, all less than 24 hours old, were seized. The dogs, which needed immediate medical attention, had been confined in an unsanitary shed in what county officials determined were life-threatening conditions. The county worked with the Humane Society for Southwest Washington for the dogs to receive needed medical treatment. An arrest warrant has been issued for dogs’ owner on animal cruelty charges.

Joanne Cloud, Clark County Animal Protection and Control Manager, said the county’s program has built a team of dedicated officers ready to respond to animal cruelty.

“Animal Protection and Control is committed to ending animal cruelty and suffering in this county,” Cloud said. “Moving forward, we will continue to work with local law enforcement to make sure the violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

“We have several new program initiatives in the works and look forward to serving this community,” she said. “Our sincere thank you goes out to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office for assisting us. Without this partnership, we could not help these animals.”

Residents who suspect animals are suffering from neglect or abuse should contract Clark County Animal Protection and Control at 564.397.2488 or online at https://clark.wa.gov/code-administration/report-animal-cruelty.

Abused or neglected animals seized by the county require ongoing care and rehabilitation. Anyone wishing to help defray these costs can send checks to Clark County Animal Protection and Control, PO Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000.

Clark County also welcomes residents willing to provide foster homes for animals in need. Anyone interested in providing a foster home can contact Clark County Animal Protection and Control at 564.397.2488.

Source: Clark County Animal Protection and Control

Josh Wolff

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