PORTLAND, Ore. — Veterinarians who specialize in forensic evidence at the Oregon Humane Society are helping law enforcement in the investigation of 18 dead frozen puppies found on a Columbia County property.
On Friday, Clark County Sheriff's Office deputies recovered 18 dead frozen puppies from a home in Goble, Oregon. The sheriff's office obtained a search warrant for the home after receiving a call that the owner was feeding frozen dead puppies to their pet snakes.
Those puppies were transported to the Oregon Humane Society in Portland for its Animal Crimes Forensic Center to investigate.
"We document the condition of the animal so we can identify what led to this pet being in this condition," said Sharon Harmon, executive director of the Oregon Humane Society. "Then, we present clear, convincing evidence to a court."
OHS's Animal Crimes Forensic Center has three veterinarians who specialize in forensic medicine and perform exams on live and deceased animals, then document what they find. This evidence is often crucial in cases of suspected animal abuse or neglect.
"(To) get both a conviction and justice for abused animals but also so we can move things through quickly," said Harmon. "Animals are evidence and property under Oregon law. For live animals, the legal process can sometimes mean those animals stay in custody for up to two years."
In 2023, 89 forensic services were performed by the Oregon Humane Society for 61 different cases around the country. The Animal Crimes Forensic Center is the second of its kind in the U.S. and the only one on the West Coast. The Oregon Humane Society said centers like this are key to stopping violence against not only pets but people in general.
"If the dog or cat or horse has been abused, and there are children in that home or women in that home, then, most likely, the violence is not just limited to the animal victims," said Harmon.
Right now, the Oregon Humane Society, Columbia County Sheriff's Office and Columbia County Animal Control Deputy are working on the case involving the 18 puppies.