On August 31, officers in Marysville, Washington, opened the door to a cramped trailer and found 44 dogs: 42 West Highland white terriers and two others. Police said many were matted, covered in feces and soaked in urine. The prosecutor said the dogs were kept three or four to a kennel and could barely move. Officers found one water bowl and no food.
One dog, a little Westie named Kerr, fell ill with parvovirus and spent time in the hospital. She recovered. More than 40 of the dogs have now been adopted or placed in foster homes, and the Everett Animal Shelter received over 250 adoption applications. People clearly care.
The man accused, 68-year-old Lance Blodgett, pleaded not guilty on October 7 in Marysville Municipal Court to 43 counts of second-degree animal cruelty and one breeding-related charge.
Now the question is whether the case ends in real accountability or a quiet plea.
I am asking Marysville Prosecutor Jaime Fink to pursue every count and not to trade them away in a plea bargain. I am asking Judge Lorrie Towers, if there is a conviction, to impose the strongest sentence available, including a ban on owning or breeding dogs, restitution to the shelter for the cost of care, and permanent forfeiture of the dogs so none can ever be returned.
The Westies of Marysville are safe because investigators acted and neighbors spoke up. Please sign so the people deciding this case know the community is watching.
I'm Eric, and I run I Love Every Dog. Every dog deserves clean water, food, and room to move.
