Couple charged with animal cruelty; 155 dogs seized

Animal-cruelty charges have been filed against a Gold Bar couple suspected of being part of a two-county puppy-mill operation.

Jason Larsen and Serenna Larsen, both 37, were charged Tuesday in Everett District Court on six counts each of first-degree animal cruelty. The charging papers say that dogs were found starving and dehydrated and that the alleged mistreatment extended back to last April.

If convicted on all counts, the couple could face 17 to 22 months in prison, said Snohomish County Deputy Prosecutor Lisa Paul. She said the investigation is continuing.

The legal action follows the charging last week of a Skagit County couple believed linked to the alleged puppy-mill operation. Richard and Marjorie Sundberg, of Mount Vernon, were each charged with four counts of second-degree animal cruelty after officials found hundreds of dogs in poor condition. The Larsens' Gold Bar home is owned by the Sundbergs' daughter, according to county property records.

In all, about 550 dogs were taken from the two locations, many of them diseased and living in filthy conditions, according to officials.

Meanwhile, the state Legislature may act to regulate commercial dog breeding. State Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, has introduced a measure that would prohibit anyone from owning more than 25 dogs over the age of four months that are unneutered and unspayed.

Kohl-Welles, a golden-retriever owner who has long been concerned about dog-breeding practices, said that the measure, SB 5651, would require dog-breeding operations to provide sanitary living conditions and timely veterinary care.

"It's fair for the families that are going to adopt puppies to know those puppies have had hygienic conditions at birth," Kohl-Welles said.

A similar measure has been presented in the House.

Officials seized 155 dogs from the Larsen's Gold Bar house. Officials said many of the dogs were covered in feces, suffering from diseases, and had no water or food. The dogs are being cared for at the Everett Animal Shelter.

Most of the dogs are small breeds such as Chihuahuas and shih tzus.

The dogs' owners have until Friday to post a $72,450 bond to pay for 30 days' care and boarding of the 155 dogs taken from the Gold Bar property.

If they do not post the bond, the Everett Animal Shelter becomes custodian and can offer the pets for adoption, said Vicki Lubrin, Snohomish County animal-control manager.

Seattle Times reporter Jennifer Sullivan contributed to this report.

Lynn Thompson: 206-464-8305 or lthompson@seattletimes.com

This story, published Feb. 5 and corrected Feb. 5, omitted the age and condition of the dogs subject to the proposed breeding limits.The bill in the Legislature to regulate commercial dog breeding would prohibit anyone from owning more than 25 dogs over the age of four months that are unneutered and unspayed.