MARYSVILLE—Dozens of West Highland white terriers seized from a cramped utility trailer in Marysville remain under veterinary care and a precautionary quarantine at the Everett Animal Shelter, as police have submitted animal cruelty and breeding-related charges in the case, Marysville Police released on Thursday.
Marysville officers removed the dogs Aug. 31 after finding them in what the department described as severe breeding-hoarding conditions. The trailer contained makeshift partitions, stacked kennels and a plastic storage tub holding young puppies. The animals ranged in age from about 4 weeks to 4 years, and none had been spayed or neutered. Many were matted, soaked in urine and covered in feces, and some showed signs of medical distress.
In an updated statement on Sept. 17, the Marysville Police Department said Community Service Officer Joie Mette submitted charges to the Marysville prosecutor’s office after reviewing veterinary reports and individual case summaries involving 44 dogs: 43 counts of animal cruelty in the second degree under RCW 16.52.207(2)(a) and one count related to dog breeding under RCW 16.52.310(2).
The cruelty statute cited by police was amended last year by House Bill 1149, sponsored by Rep. David Hackney, D-Renton, and Rep. Sam Low, R-Lake Stevens, and signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson in May 2025.
The law expanded second-degree animal cruelty to cover not only an animal’s owner but also a person who possesses, controls, resides with or has accepted responsibility for an animal. It also made explicit that failing to provide necessary food or water — in addition to shelter, rest, sanitation, space or medical attention — can support a charge when an animal suffers unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain. State breeding rules also set housing, sanitation and veterinary-care standards for people who keep more than 10 intact adult dogs in enclosures for most of the day.
Police have not publicly identified a suspect, and prosecutors have not announced whether they will pursue the charged filed.
The dogs continue to recover but still require extensive grooming to remove severe matting and trim overgrown nails. Last week, a young adult female became ill and was hospitalized amid concerns about parvovirus. She has recovered and returned to the shelter. All of the Westies were placed under quarantine as a precaution to protect them and other animals. Shelter staff said no additional dogs have shown signs of illness. The quarantine is expected to be lifted Sept. 21. That date will not make the dogs immediately available for adoption.
The Everett Animal Shelter said it received more than 250 adoption applications plus a flood of phone inquiries and is no longer accepting applications for these dogs. Because the case remains active, the animals are not legally available for adoption. Officials said they will notify the public if and when that changes.
In the meantime, the shelter encouraged people who want to help to adopt other animals already available, become a foster or volunteer, or donate to support animals in its care.
Author: Mario Lotmore
