Owner of suspected Alfalfa-area puppy mill barred from having animals; prosecutors seek forfeiture of 49 rescued dogs
Harley Coldiron
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Alfalfa-area resident Lorinda Maxwell, the owner of “Kameo Poodles,” has been granted conditional release as her animal neglect case moves forward in Deschutes County Circuit Court.
At prosecutors’ request, Deschutes County Circuit Judge Randy Miller added a condition to Maxwell’s release during Thursday’s arraignment that prohibits her from owning or living with domestic animals of any kind as the case proceeds.
It was Maxwell’s first court appearance, facing 49 counts of second-degree animal neglect, all Class C felonies. Another court hearing is scheduled for October 10 to determine whether Maxwell must permanently forfeit the 49 animals seized from her property.
Maxwell is accused of operating a puppy mill where 49 animals, many of them poodle puppies, were found by deputies. According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, the dogs were found crammed into cages, suffering from poor health and in desperate need of grooming.
Speaking Thursday with KTVZ News, District Attorney Steve Gunnels described the conditions as “unsanitary,” with insufficient food and water. Photographs from investigators show filthy crates littered with old food and feces.
The poodles are currently being cared for at the Humane Society of Central Oregon, but remain Maxwell’s property and until next month’s forfeiture hearing. Prosecutors are asking the court to permanently transfer ownership of the dogs to the shelter, allowing them to be adopted into new homes.
Maxwell is scheduled for arraignment October 16th on an expected formal grand jury indictment.
“This is probably one of our bigger animal forfeiture and animal neglect cases,” Gunnels told us, noting the recent sharp rise in abuse cases across Deschutes County. His office has assigned two attorneys with specialized training to prosecute such crimes.
The DA also credited area law enforcement with stepping up enforcement efforts.
“What we’re seeing right now is pretty aggressive law enforcement to find those instances where people are abusing or neglecting animals,” he said.