Steven Yaroslaski, 60, is scheduled to make his first court appearance for the charges at 1 p.m. Oct. 12 in Cowlitz County District Court.
Each charge, a misdemeanor, is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
On March 1, Humane Society officers responded to an animal cruelty complaint at 141 N. Bodine Road. In a series of dog runs and sheds on the rural property, the officers found 39 dogs living and sleeping in mud and excrement, their water bowls black and slimy.
The Humane Society cited Yaroslaski for running a kennel without a county permit and keeping animals in unsanitary conditions. Yaroslaski was given 72 hours to bring the kennels up to state and local standards.
By state law, shelters must be built so dogs can remain dry and clean, and feces must be removed daily.
On March 3, the Humane Society returned with sheriff's deputies and seized 34 of the dogs, which included pugs, Chihuahuas, Cairn terriers, Pekingese and Huskies. Humane Society officers reported that some of the dogs, which ranged from 5 months to 10 years old, were pregnant. A few wore collars so tight they were embedded in their necks and the skin had grown around them, according to the Humane Society.
Many dogs had matted dreadlocks of fur caked with mud and feces hanging from their legs. Veterinarians saw cases of rotten and missing teeth, ear infections, fleas, dehydration, overgrown nails and red, irritated feet from standing in feces, according to Humane Society officials.
The Humane Society cleaned up the dogs, had them spayed and neutered and provided them with medical treatment. All have been adopted, according to Humane Society Executive Director Rick Johnson.
Yaroslaski told The Daily News in March that he didn't realize the situation was so bad. He said he'd taken in several dogs whose owners could no longer care for them, and some of the dogs had puppies.
(TDN - Sep 21, 2011)
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