Thirty dogs were pulled from filthy, overcrowded conditions at a residential property south of Lynden, Washington, on October 5, after Whatcom County Sheriff's Office investigators say they found animals with open wounds, worm-infested feces, and ribs and hip bones visible through matted, urine-stained fur. Pittie Project PNW, a Bellingham-based rescue nonprofit, had housed dogs at the property and had, until recently, been a partner destination for dogs transferred out of Desert Hot Springs, California's overwhelmed municipal animal shelter.
Deputies Describe Starving, Wounded Animals
Detectives who responded to the property in the 200 block of Russet Avenue, in unincorporated Whatcom County south of Lynden, described numerous dogs in extremely poor condition living in unsanitary environments, according to KESQ. Photographs provided to investigators showed dogs appearing injured and in poor health, and authorities said the animals lacked adequate access to food or water. Dogs at the property reportedly had open wounds on their bodies, legs, and tails, along with strong foul odors permeating their living areas, per the station's report.
Whatcom County Sheriff's Office investigators identified 38-year-old Ashley Georgia of Bellingham as the founder and leader of Pittie Project PNW, and the property owner told deputies Georgia held sole responsibility for the animals' care, according to PNW Daily. The raid followed a tip about animal neglect, as reported by My Bellingham Now.
Volunteers Pulled 13 More Dogs Before the Raid
Before deputies ever executed the search warrant, rescue volunteers had already removed 13 dogs from the Russet Avenue property after discovering their poor physical condition, according to KIRO 7 News Seattle. That earlier intervention pushed the total number of affected animals past 40. The Whatcom Humane Society took custody of the 30 dogs seized during the raid for medical evaluation and temporarily closed its shelter to the public on Wednesday to manage the sudden influx, the outlet reported.
Whatcom County Sheriff's Office records also show Georgia had accepted donated dog food and thousands of dollars in financial contributions meant to cover the animals' care, per the same KIRO 7 account. Donors had contributed money toward the animals' care. The investigation was ongoing, and Georgia was officially charged with 30 counts of first-degree animal cruelty on Wednesday, October 7.
Desert Hot Springs Confirms the Partnership
Desert Hot Springs Animal Care and Control has sent dogs to Pittie Project PNW as part of a transfer partnership, though the city has not disclosed how many animals went to the rescue, according to KESQ. The city issued a statement addressing the allegations, saying it is cooperating with local law enforcement and remains committed to transparency and accountability to residents and stakeholders. Desert Hot Springs said it plans to review and strengthen its rescue partnership protocols and prioritizes the safety and well-being of animals entrusted to its care, adding that its dedication to animal welfare continues even after placement with a rescue partner.
The partnership was active right up until the raid. Desert Hot Springs shelter volunteers arranged an out-of-state transfer to Pittie Project PNW as recently as late September, scheduling a dog named Bo for transport to Washington on September 29, according to a post from DHS Animal Shelter Pals on Facebook. Donations for Bo were intended to go toward his surgery and medical care.
A Once-Respected Rescue, Now Facing Felony Scrutiny
Pittie Project PNW had built a reputation over several years as a legitimate player in Pacific Northwest animal welfare. The organization was established in Bellingham as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit originally focused on adopting out pit bulls, and it went on to facilitate more than 400 dog adoptions, partnering with local humane societies and prison dog-training programs, according to Bellingham Alive.
Washington's RCW 16.52.205 addresses first-degree animal cruelty, a Class C felony that can carry imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. Georgia was officially charged with 30 counts of first-degree animal cruelty on Wednesday, October 7.
Overcrowded Shelters Fuel Risky Long-Distance Transfers
The case comes amid overcrowding at some California shelters. Riverside County's regional animal shelter system operated at over 220% capacity in mid-2026, according to a Riverside County Animal Services relay posted on Facebook. Desert Hot Springs has transferred dogs to Pittie Project PNW, an out-of-state rescue.
The Pittie Project PNW case has brought renewed attention to Desert Hot Springs' animal-transfer practices.
