Break-in at dog shelter results in arrests of 3
From our weekly issue dated September 3, 2008
The third suspect in a break-in Friday, Aug. 22 at the Josephine County Animal Shelter in Merlin has surrendered, but none of the three have been charged in the deaths of four dogs found fatally beaten.
Two suspects arrested Tuesday evening, Aug. 26, were identified by Josephine County Sheriff’s Office as Merlin residents Harley Davidson Hopkins, 22; and Jacob A. Goodboe, 16. They made initial court appearances Wednesday, Aug. 27 on charges of second-degree burglary, criminal mischief, theft and trespassing.
Deputies first arrested them on charges of first-degree aggravated animal abuse charges. But those have been set aside as investigation proceeds, according to Sheriff Gil Gilbertson.
The suspects maintain that they had taken some of the animals to a transient camp. Investigators are checking to determine who last had the canines found dead.
On Thursday afternoon, Aug. 28, accompanied by attorney Kathi Holmbeck, 16-year-old Holly Hopkins, of Merlin, turned herself in to face charges of theft, burglary, and criminal mischief. Earlier that day, she returned a Blue Heeler puppy, the last of 11 canines removed from the shelter.
The dogs all appeared happy and healthy, said Belle Shepherd, the director of Josephine County Public Health, which includes the Animal Control section.
“We couldn’t be happier to have all the animals back and safe at the shelter,” said Brad Tally, Animal Control supervisor, in a news release.
Investigators suspect that Harley Hopkins, Holly Hopkins and Goodboe broke into the shelter after it closed Aug. 22. Harley Hopkins thought his Chow mix had been taken there for running-at-large and he wanted to retrieve it without paying a fine, but the animal was not there, said Shepherd.
Indications are that the trio apparently cut chain-link fencing on kennels to free 11 of the 15 dogs at the shelter that night. Four of them, all younger than 6 months, were found dead at about 11:30 p.m. Friday. They were killed by blows to their heads and placed in a particular configuration in the center of Pleasant Valley Road in the 700 block in Merlin, according to reports.
Three canines were found loose at the shelter Aug. 23. Another, an older Dachshund, was found running nearby on Tuesday; and officers tracked down a Chocolate Labrador while seeking the suspects. When searchers encountered Hopkins and Goodboe on Tuesday, the two had another of the missing dogs, a young spotted Blue Heeler.
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