HSUS speaks out against Eastern Idaho dog case
BOISE - "What we would like to see is the owner charged with animal cruelty which is only a misdemeanor in this state," said Lisa Kauffman, the state director for the Humane Society of the United States.
HSUS also says it wants the charge against Troy Jackson, Executive Director for Northwest Animal Companions dropped and the Jefferson County Commissioners to investigate the case.
"If they, (the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office) would have just taken this a little bit more seriously upfront - instead of just leaving it to the owner to do it whenever it fit into his schedule and he felt like it this case would never have gone this far," Kauffman said.
2News has repeatedly tried to contact Sheriff Blair Olsen to talk with him about this case but have not heard back. 2News called again Tuesday and was told the sheriff is out this week.
His office said to contact the Jefferson County Prosecutor - Robin Dunn. Dunn said county commissioners set policies - they do not control the sheriff's office or the prosecutor's office.
But HSUS says something needs to change so what happened to Barbie and her puppies doesn't happen again.
"I'd like to see something maybe in the ordinances that requires the sheriffs to act and require care on the animal within a certain amount of time," Kauffman said.
Jackson will be arraigned in Eastern Idaho on December 22nd. He faces Felony Grand Theft. If convicted he could face up to 14 years in jail and $5,000 fine.
HSUS believes there is enough evidence to drop the charges against Jackson.
HSUS also says it wants the charge against Troy Jackson, Executive Director for Northwest Animal Companions dropped and the Jefferson County Commissioners to investigate the case.
"If they, (the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office) would have just taken this a little bit more seriously upfront - instead of just leaving it to the owner to do it whenever it fit into his schedule and he felt like it this case would never have gone this far," Kauffman said.
2News has repeatedly tried to contact Sheriff Blair Olsen to talk with him about this case but have not heard back. 2News called again Tuesday and was told the sheriff is out this week.
His office said to contact the Jefferson County Prosecutor - Robin Dunn. Dunn said county commissioners set policies - they do not control the sheriff's office or the prosecutor's office.
But HSUS says something needs to change so what happened to Barbie and her puppies doesn't happen again.
"I'd like to see something maybe in the ordinances that requires the sheriffs to act and require care on the animal within a certain amount of time," Kauffman said.
Jackson will be arraigned in Eastern Idaho on December 22nd. He faces Felony Grand Theft. If convicted he could face up to 14 years in jail and $5,000 fine.
HSUS believes there is enough evidence to drop the charges against Jackson.
