Animals are out
<p>Cindy Edington, one of the board members on the Humane Society, pets one of the guinea pigs at the fairgrounds during their first adoption fair. All of the animals seized from the Athol home have been adopted.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office recognized Thursday more than 30 individuals who volunteered their time, services and equipment to assist in the care of more than 100 animals seized in an abuse investigation that began in January.
"It's nice to know that there are people still out there who are willing to help," said KCSO Lt. Mike McFarland. "Especially in cases like this when it was desperately needed."
According to McFarland, the majority of the animals were housed at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, with a few fostered at private residences. Following two animal adoption fairs, all of the animals now have homes except for a few guinea pigs, rabbits and a chicken that didn't make it. The rest were in good health when they were released to their new homes.
"Since the animals were in our care, we had to get them healthy," he said.
McFarland estimated the KCSO spent between $3,500 and $5,000 on bedding, veterinary costs and food, but the KCSO is still compiling the final numbers. He added that the number of goats about doubled from when the animals were seized because they had been bred before they were in the KCSO's custody.
"We found out afterward," he said.
McFarland said three of the volunteer couples who were involved the entire time will be receiving individualized thank-you letters from the KCSO. He said when the situation began, several people were interested in assisting and some volunteers were turned away because there was nothing for them to do.
"You can only feed and clean cages so much," he said.
On Jan. 17, 139 animals were transported to the fairgrounds following an anonymous tip the KCSO received Jan. 14 regarding child and animal neglect. The Press reported in a Jan. 22 article that 83 rabbits, 38 guinea pigs, nine goats, four miniature horses, three chickens, a horse and a goose were seized from a home located on east Pend Oreille Divide Road, with no running water or electricity. The animals were confined in cages and pens with no water.
Shawna Denney-Land, 39, and her husband, Wayne Land, 45, were originally charged with 13 counts of animal cruelty, but in exchange for a guilty plea, the couple was only charged with five counts. Denney-Land's parents, Norma Jean and John Denney, who were living in the Athol home at the time of the seizure, each pleaded guilty to two counts of animal cruelty.
Some of the animals were returned to the home from which they were seized. As part of their plea agreement, Shawna and Wayne were allowed to pick 10 rabbits and six guinea pigs to keep from among the animals seized during the investigation. The Denneys forfeited all of their animals except two horses and the terms of their probation state that they are not allowed to have more than two horses, two chickens, and five dogs.
Information about the 8-year-old girl who was also removed during the January raid was not released because that case has been sealed.
Staff writer Keith Cousins contributed to this story.