13 dogs seized during animal breeding, abuse investigation in Benton City

Benton County officials seized 13 husky-type dogs over the weekend at a property in Benton City.

A neighbor alerted sheriff’s investigators about concerns the dogs were possibly being mistreated at the home on the 34000 block of Firewood Drive, Sheriff’s Lt. Mike Clark told the Tri-City Herald.

After a couple weeks of investigation, deputies got a warrant and searched the property with Benton County Animal Control officers about 11 a.m. Saturday, April 5.

Most of the dogs were still inside the double-wide manufactured home when deputies served the warrant, but others ran and were difficult to catch, Clark said.

While Clark said the dogs don’t appear to be severely malnourished, there are signs they weren’t being well-cared for.

The dogs were taken to the Benton County Animal Control shelter in Kennewick where a veterinarian will be examining them.

No one at the home was arrested and no abuse charges are filed. The investigation, including possible violations of animal breeding laws, is ongoing, Clark said.