Dead fowl on Whatcom County property spurs probe

A parcel of land in Whatcom County is at the center of an animal-abuse investigation after a search on Thursday turned up 84 dead turkeys, chickens, geese and ducks.

"We're going to investigate whoever was in charge of the property," said Chief Deputy Jeff Parks of the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office. "Whoever was in charge of these animals we're going to be looking at their actions here."

According to property records, the Birch Bay land was formerly owned by Michael A. Koenen, who sold the property about a month ago to BP Amoco PLC (BP). Koenen is the father of Atlanta Falcons kicker Michael J. Koenen, who attended Western Washington University. A team spokesman said Thursday that the senior Koenen had sold the land and his son was not involved with the property or the sale.

Parks said it is unclear whether the birds belonged to Koenen Sr. or someone else.

The Sheriff's Office said a tip came from Pasado's Safe Haven, a Snohomish County animal-rights group. Deputies and volunteers from Pasado's Safe Haven surveyed the property Thursday.

Susan Michaels, co-founder of Pasado's Safe Haven, said it is the worst case of animal abuse she has seen in five years.

"It's total squalor. We only got 20 live animals," she said.

Koenen Sr., 50, could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Michael Abendhoff, BP's Northwest director of public affairs, said it assumed that Koenen Sr. would take the birds with him when he moved. He said that since taking ownership of the property Nov. 19 a BP employee had been feeding the remaining animals and trying to find homes for the animals left behind.

"It is hard to explain the property and how trashed it [the property] has become. It is unbelievable," Abendhoff said. "I can't believe people were living in it a week ago."

BP plans to clear the property and may donate it for a Great Blue Heron refuge.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com