QUILCENE — The Jefferson County District Court has approved the forfeiture and transfer of ownership of four dogs that were seized along with more than 50 other animals in an alleged animal abuse case to Center Valley Animal Rescue.
Former owner Nancy Park, 75, had the opportunity to claim the animals if she posted a $3,000 security bond by Sept. 23, but she did not post the bond, and the forfeiture and transfer was signed the following day.
A total of 59 animals were seized by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in July from Park, a Quilcene resident. Those not emaciated or diseased were infested with parasites such as fleas, Sara Penhallegon, Center Valley Animal Rescue (CVAR) director, said last month.
On Sept. 16, District Court Judge Mindy Walker ordered Park to post the security by noon on Sept. 23, and “As of September 24, 2020, defendant has failed to post bond. By operation of the court’s previous Order … good cause exists to forfeit four dogs seized July 16, 2020; and for transfer of ownership of those animals [from Park] to Center Valley Animal Rescue,” court documents stated.
In an email sent Sept. 23 in response to Julie St. Marie, Jefferson County deputy prosecuting attorney, asking about a possible need for a follow-up hearing, defense attorney Curt Schulz said: “I don’t think we need to do another hearing. The court did give her until this Wednesday and she isn’t able to post, so you can present your order.”
Trial for Park is set for Dec. 10.
To help recover costs from this seizure — as well as its general operating costs of feeding, medical and rehabilitation of animals — CVAR is hosting its annual auction and celebration online, organizer Dinah DiNova said.
Some of the auction items include a private plane ride over the San Juan Islands, attending a CVAR wildlife release and a private photo shoot at CVAR.
The auction is running until Saturday, when it will culminate with an online celebration at 5:30 p.m. Planned are stories of the 2020 rescue year, highlighting rescued animals in their forever homes, behind-the-scenes footage and other videos, DiNova said.
All proceeds from the tickets and auction go toward CVAR’s services. An anonymous donor has agreed to match all donations up to $40,000, Penhallegon said.
Tickets for the event can be purchased — and the auction found — at fortheloveofanimals.maxgiving.bid.
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Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5, or at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com.
