Breeder Faces Animal Cruelty Charges

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By Molly Kelleher

Summary

Benton County deputies found 200 dogs in bad living conditions, so why are the dogs back with the owner? Action News reporter Molly Kelleher investigates.

Story Published: May 14, 2009 at 5:53 PM PST

Breeder Faces Animal Cruelty Charges
BENTON COUNTY - Benton County deputies found 200 dogs in bad living conditions, so why are the dogs back with the owner? Action News reporter Molly Kelleher investigates.

The owner of Sun Valley kennel is now facing animal cruelty charges.

She's out of jail and back with her dogs. The Benton County Sheriff's department tells Action News this all started when a deputy happened to be out on another call at a neighboring house.

The stench from Sun Valley breeders tipped off the deputy, then a search warrant found 200 dogs in bad living conditions.

Action News tried talking with Ella Stewart. She didn't want to talk to us. She ran into our house as our cameras were rolling.

Our cameras caught the small Eskimo dogs in cages, outside and just all over the property.

"It's loud it smells, too many dogs it's disgusting," said neighbor Doreen Black.

Neighbors have been complaining for years. Action News covered the story two years ago. Back then, prosecutors told us they were investigating and they are again now.

But remember this is county land, not city, so code violations go through the Benton County Sheriff's office and Tri-City Animal Control has no jurisdiction.

I called up the Benton County Sheriff's department, they tell me they are leaving the dogs in Stewart's custody because there's no one else to turn to.

They don't have a facility or a money to care for the dogs, so while the woman awaits trial the 200 dogs will stay in these cages and on this property.

Neighbors want action now but Sheriffs say they just don't have the resources for a case like this. Some neighbors didn't want to go on camera but did speak up for the owner.

They say she has good intentions, but is in over her head. They told us the woman works two jobs just to pay for all the dog food she needs.

We will follow up with this case; her first court date is next month.