Update January 25, 2011 - Diane Cowling and her son Michael appeared in court today at the Snohomish County Courthouse where they were told "you are under arrest on 34 counts of animal cruelty in the first degree." They are being held on 100,000 dollar bail.
Approximately 14 peaceful protesters from Pasado's Safe Haven stood outside the courthouse calling for stiff punishment and displaying graphic photos taken inside the Granite Falls horror-house, including one depicting the 4-inches of feces covering every surface of the home.
Police and protesters all agreed that the Cowling's excuse is unacceptable. One protester, nearly in tears commented "They could have taken them to a shelter; at the very least opened the door and let them out. There is help out there."
The Snohomish County prosecutor has until Thursday to file official charges. Additional updates will be posted as they become available.
GRANITE FALLS, Wash. – Diane Cowling, 65, and her 35-year-old son were arrested Monday, January 24, 2011 after police found a total of 31 dead animals abandoned in their Granite Falls home.
The Granite Falls home, foreclosed in October, although the son reportedly returned to the home several times through December. The vacant home became a house-of-horrors when the mortgage company sent a locksmith to change the locks on the home. The foul odor and awful stench emitting from the home led him to call the police immediately.
The Granite Falls Horror House
Upon entering the home, investigators found 28 cats and 3 dogs dead, with carcasses found on nearly every surface of the home. The home was strewn with garbage and 3-inch deep feces throughout the house. It is reported that no surface in the home was free from carcasses, decomposed skeletons, feces and pure filth.
Investigators found the dead animals in various stages of decomposition, several having been dead for at least six months, while the mother and son were still living in the home. "These animals just basically laid down and died," Granite Falls Police Chief Dennis Taylor said. "The owner just stepped over the top of them."
"Granite Falls Police Chief Dennis Taylor called the horrific scene "one of the most deplorable situations" he has ever had to deal with in his law enforcement career," according to a KOMO news report.
An Unacceptable Explanation
Cowling and her son admitted to not having enough money to feed the animals and claimed she did not know what to do with them as no one would take the cats. “That is not a reasonable explanation,” says Taylor.
Rescuers from Pasado’s Safe Haven helped police clean up the remains, filling several trash bags. Necropsies will be performed to determine the exact cause of death in the animals; however, it is believed they died from malnutrition and dehydration.
Cowling and her son were released pending charges from the prosecutor and could face 31 counts of felony animal cruelty, each punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Pasado’s Safe Haven
Three cats, severely thin from starvation, were found barely alive and taken to Pasado’s Safe Haven animal sanctuary where they are being evaluated and treated. It is unknown at this time whether they will survive.
Pasado’s Safe Haven is located on 85 acres an hour north of Seattle. They are dedicated to 24-hour rescue and rehabilitation of cats, dogs and farm animals. They focus on animals that are otherwise turned away or unable to be cared for by local shelters.
Abused and neglected animals come to Safe Haven to live out the rest of their days peacefully, receiving the care and treatment they desperately need.
Photos ©Malysa Stratton Louk. All rights reserved. Photos may not be copied, borrowed, altered or reproduced in any way, either electronically or in print, without prior written permission from the copyright holder.
Malysa Stratton Louk - Malysa Stratton Louk is a freelance writer, journalist & photographer in the Pacific Northwest. View her full profile for more ...
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