Local News

Several Recent Abandonments at Bend Animal Shelter

BEND, OR -- The Humane Society of Central Oregon is working to find homes for pets recently left abandoned outside its Bend shelter.  Less than a week ago, a woman left a Jack Russell Terrier in a crate at the front doors of the shelter, 40 minutes before it opened. A few days before that, Lynne Ouchida says a pair of guinea pigs were left at the back door.  "It was interesting that people that it was OK to abandoned an animal at the shelter."

 

She tells KBND leaving an animal in any location violates state law, "Well, the Oregon state statute states specifically, the person commits the crime of animal abandonment if the person intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence leaves a domestic animal or equine at a location without providing minimal care. It is no defense that the defendant abandoned the animal at or near an animal shelter, vet clinic or other place of shelter if the defendant did not make reasonable arrangements for the care of the animal."  The shelter is not pursuing legal action in the two recent cases, Ouchida says they just want to make sure the animals can quickly find a good home. "If the dog or cat or any kind of animal comes in, the more information you provide the better we can treat it.  Whether they have medical issues, behavioral issues, maybe it does/doesn’t do well with cats or kids." She says that information helps find the best new family for an animal.  

 

Ouchida says there is no fee to relinquish a pet, however they do request a voluntary donation. "We do ask questions, and the questions are why you are relinquishing it – the first questions are how can we help you keep your pet? If you have come to the decision that you can’t keep it, then absolutely, we’ll take that animal, that’s what our services provide. We do ask you to fill out information about the animal so that we can place it in an appropriate home."  Animals that are not properly relinquished must be held as a "stray" and aren't available for adoption for a number of days.  

On Air Now

America in the Morning
5:00am - 6:00am
America in the Morning

FlashAlert

KBND ON FACEBOOK

News Disclaimers