A Portland woman was arraigned this week after prosecutors said seven dogs were discovered in filthy, near-starvation conditions inside a southeast Portland home. Responding officers reported one dog dead, two others severely emaciated and several more confined to cramped crates, according to court documents. The woman surrendered the animals at the scene and now faces multiple counts of aggravated animal abuse and animal neglect. She is scheduled to return to Multnomah County court on Aug. 10.
What officers found
Multnomah County Animal Services was first contacted in February 2024 after a caller reported dogs being starved and neglected at a home near Southeast 34th Avenue and Holgate Boulevard. Inside, officers found seven dogs, including one that was dead, two that were severely emaciated and several confined to small crates. Investigators documented a strong odor of feces, urine and decomposition and said they feared two additional dogs could die without immediate care.
Court records state the woman told officers she had no dog food and planned to cook for the animals. She voluntarily surrendered the dogs, and necropsies were later performed on three of them. An arrest warrant was issued on Nov. 3, 2025, and she was arraigned on three counts of aggravated animal abuse and four counts of animal neglect, according to KATU.
How county animal services respond
Multnomah County Animal Services is the lead agency for animal abuse investigations and has authority to impound animals and arrange emergency medical care. As outlined by Multnomah County Animal Services, the investigations and field services program covers Portland and neighboring jurisdictions and operates around the clock for animal-related emergencies. In severe neglect cases the county typically works with prosecutors and other partners to seek warrants, remove animals and pursue criminal charges when warranted.
Charges and legal context
Prosecutors have charged the woman with aggravated animal abuse and multiple counts of animal neglect, offenses that carry significant penalties under state law. Aggravated animal abuse in the first degree is classified as a Class C felony in Oregon, and a conviction can result in prison time and restrictions on future animal ownership, according to the Oregon Legislature. Related statutes define what constitutes animal neglect and give authorities the power to enter properties to provide emergency care when animals are believed to be at risk.
A pattern of hoarding and neglect cases in Portland
Cases like this are not isolated in Portland. Multinanimal rescues in recent years have highlighted a recurring pattern of hoarding and neglect that strains shelter capacity and public resources. In August 2024 the Portland Police Bureau and partner agencies removed more than a dozen animals from a Southeast Portland home after finding stacked crates and unsanitary conditions, according to a bureau news release. Local outlets, including a steady stream of hoarding and neglect investigations, have chronicled how these cases complicate both enforcement and long-term care for seized animals.
The woman in the current case is due back in Multnomah County court on Aug. 10 for further proceedings. Anyone with concerns about animal welfare in Multnomah County can contact Multnomah County Animal Services' 24-hour dispatch at (503) 988-7387 or visit Multnomah County Animal Services for guidance on how to report possible neglect or abuse. The case remains under investigation, and additional charges could be filed based on future court findings and filings.
