Man charged after Post Falls K-9’s death

SAGLE — The owner of a Bonner County kennel is facing criminal charges after five dogs died in overheated conditions at his facility last summer, including a Post Falls Police Department K-9.

Louis J. Winer, 32, is charged with six counts of cruelty to animals, all misdemeanors. In Idaho, cruelty to animals is generally a misdemeanor, but some forms of abuse become a felony if the defendant has previous animal abuse convictions.

The charges stem from Aug. 14, 2023, when the Post Falls Police Department reported that Mack, a 4-year-old Malinois shepherd owned by the law enforcement agency, had died of heat exhaustion while boarded overnight at Titan K9s, which bred, trained and boarded dogs.

Winer, who owned the facility, told police that Mack and five of Winer’s own dogs were kept in crates inside a shed the night of Aug. 14. He said the dogs were checked at 11 p.m., when the temperature in Sagle was 77 degrees, according to court documents.

When the dogs were checked again around 10 a.m. the next morning, five were dead. The temperature in Sagle was about 91 degrees. The sole surviving dog was transported to a local veterinarian.

Winer said a portable air conditioner vent in the window became dislodged overnight, causing hot air from the air conditioner to blow into the shed.

Police found each dead dog inside its own crate. The crates did not contain any water or food, according to court documents.

Investigators said poor airflow inside the shed could have led to a buildup of heat and humidity, while inadequate insulation may have made the shed prone to extreme temperatures. Dehydration could have made the dogs more susceptible to heatstroke.

If the dogs had been checked more frequently, investigators said, someone could have intervened before they died.

“By the time the dogs were found, it was too late to save them,” court records said.

Winer said his dogs were worth an estimated $50,000. The Post Falls Police Department paid $15,000 for Mack.

Prosecutors charged Winer in September 2023. A jury trial scheduled for next week has been vacated.

Court records indicate the parties are mediating a resolution, which may include Winer pleading guilty in accordance with Alford to one count of animal cruelty. By entering an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence for a jury to find the defendant guilty at trial.

Misdemeanor animal cruelty is punishable by a maximum penalty of six months and jail and a $5,000 fine.