44 Poodles Seized from 'Filthy, Unhealthy' Oregon Home in Suspected Puppy Mill Case By Madison E. Goldberg

Forty-nine animals, including 44 poodles, were seized from allegedly poor living conditions in a house on Elk Lane in Alfalfa, Ore., on Sept. 5, leading to the arrest of their owner in a suspected puppy mill case.

Lorinda Maxwell was arrested on 49 felony counts of animal neglect in the second degree, according to a statement from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities were called to the home after a woman reported serious health issues for her dog, who she adopted from the website rescueme.com, which was run by Maxwell, 62, under the business name Kameo Poodles.

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DCSO Animal Control arrived at the scene to find the animals “in filthy, unhealthy conditions inside the residence,” per the sheriff’s office Sept. 9 statement. Animal Control Technician Maryia Leufven “noted a strong odor of urine and ammonia, with many animals living in dirty crates and on soiled blankets,” the statement continued.

The animals seized included 44 dogs, who were a combination of standard, miniature and toy poodles, and three cats. Photos shared by the DCSO show the poodles with matted, tangled hair due to a lack of grooming, with some living in crates full of feces. Two litters of puppies were among the 44 dogs seized by DCSO Animal Control.

“Our Animal Control Technicians are committed to protecting animals in our community and are highly trained to notice signs of neglect,” Jason Carr, Public Information Officer for the DCSO, said in a statement. “In this case, we believe Maxwell prioritized quantity over quality with profit as the main goal. And given how long she’s been breeding and the unhealthy conditions in the home, we’re considering this a puppy mill.”

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The animals were brought to the Humane Society of Central Oregon, where they are receiving medical care, per the DCSO. They are not available for adoption at this time. The dog kennels at the HSCO are currently at 200% capacity, and the newly arrived animals are on a court hold.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to come forward. Individuals with knowledge of Kameo Poodles or Maxwell are asked to call non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911.