PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office took two severely undernourished dogs from a filthy pen Thursday, authorities said.

The owner, Joshua Almaden, 26, is under investigation for two counts of second degree animal cruelty, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy Tracey Kellas, animal control officer for the county, investigated a report of two dogs so underweight their ribs were visible at 4316 S. Doss Road, south of Port Angeles, said Ron Cameron, county chief criminal deputy.

The pit bull-type dogs appeared malnourished and were living in a kennel that had not been cleaned, he said.

Veterinarians from Olympic Animal Hospital evaluated and treated the dogs after they were taken into custody, he said.

“One of the attending veterinarians said that in over 30 years of practice, these were two of the thinnest dogs he had ever seen,” Cameron said.

Kellas interviewed the dog’s owner, Cameron said.

He added that recommended charges could be increased from second-degree animal cruelty to the more serious first-degree animal cruelty.

The dogs are being cared for at the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society shelter in Port Angeles.

The Humane Society and Kitsap Bank have opened a fund to help pay for the two dogs’ care and rehabilitation.

Donations can be made at any Kitsap Bank branch under the name “Animal Welfare Fund.”

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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.