Puppy Mill Operator Jailed For Neglect

by Sherry Morse and Sarah Wahlert

Oregon resident, Linda Sargent, was recently sentenced to 60 days in jail, charged with two counts of misdemeanor animal neglect related to a puppy mill she operated.

Sheriff’s Deputy Robin Iverson said that in her 24 years of investigations into animal neglect, this case was one of the worst she had ever seen.

Sargent neglected nearly 24 dogs, three of which died after sheriff’s deputies seized the malnourished and parasite-ridden animals from travel crates kept outside of Sargent’s rented home.

"All of the dogs were subjected to the stress and risk of disease associated with being forced to live in massive amounts of feces," stated veterinarian Louise Mesher. "These dogs suffered greatly under these deplorable conditions."

Sargent has a prior history of animal neglect, having been convicted in 1977 of 56 counts of animal cruelty after abandoning a pet shop full of animals. In that case, according to prosecutor Shauna Byers, some of the animals were found dead or dying, having to fend for themselves.

Circuit Judge Patrick Gilroy said that Sargent, 52, would be eligible for work release after 30 days in jail, but will be on probation for five years in which time she will not be allowed to own any animals.

Sargent must also pay $2810 in restitution and undergo a mental health evaluation.

Sargent’s lawyer Michael Czaiko said that Ms. Sargent, who pleaded no contest to the two charges in May, would not benefit from a jail sentence and that she should receive mental health counseling instead.

All of the surviving dogs involved in the case have been placed with new owners, officials said.

© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.