New charge added against alleged Alfalfa puppy mill owner; here’s what it’s about, and how she plans to plead
Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — An Alfalfa-area woman accused of running a puppy mill from her home was arraigned Thursday, one day after a grand jury’s 50-count indictment. Her attorney said she will plead not guilty to all 49 felony counts of second-degree animal neglect and a new charge of violating dog breeders’ standards of care.
Lorinda Maxwell, 62, who was arrested last month and operated the business Kameo Poodles, appeared remotely by phone for the brief hearing before Deschutes County Circuit Judge Alycia Herriott.
Although the judge scheduled a Dec. 10 plea hearing, Maxwell’s defense attorney, Geordie Duckler, told her Thursday they will “ask for a plea of not guilty to be entered on all charges.”
The new charge, a Class B misdemeanor, alleges Maxwell possessed 10 or more dogs and intentionally failed to “provide the standards of care applicable to dog breeders.”
The listed specifics include not removing waste from their enclosures at least once a day, not removing the dog during such cleanings and failing to maintain a record for each sexually intact dog over eight months of age, including the birthdate if known, as well as when she acquired the dog and a record of any veterinary care.
Herriott directed Maxwell to keep in touch with her attorney and obey all terms of her conditional release, which include not owning or living with any domestic animals as the case proceeds.
Maxwell initially refused to surrender the 44 dogs and three cats Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies seized from her property. She later agreed to do so, and they have been up for adoption in recent weeks at the Humane Society of Central Oregon.
HSCO Director of Community Partnerships Lynne Ouchida told KTVZ News Thursday that while many have been adopted, they still have 10 of the poodles remaining at the shelter or in foster homes.
“HSCO continues to provide extensive veterinary and daily care for the dogs,” she said.