Second Major Animal Neglect Case in Deschutes County: Deputies Rescue 23 Dogs

Redmond, Oregon- Twenty-three dogs were rescued from a Redmond property Monday after Deschutes County deputies found them suffering in triple-digit heat, authorities said.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office received a report of animal neglect at a residence in the 3100 block of NE O’Neil Way, where Animal Control Technician Michelle White discovered four adult dogs and 19 puppies confined in metal wire crates covered with heavy blankets. Temperatures in Redmond climbed to 100 degrees that day.

Responding deputies — Sgt. Aaron Harding and Deputies Michael Dolan and Dean Marshall — found the dogs panting heavily and showing signs of heat exhaustion. With the owners, Nicole Allison Sly, 45, and Jeremy Shane De France, 49, unavailable and unreachable by phone, deputies determined the animals were in immediate danger.

Some of the youngest puppies were found crawling in direct sunlight. Deputies moved them into an air-conditioned patrol vehicle before transporting all 23 dogs to BrightSide Animal Center in Redmond.

Shelter staff provided emergency care, including fresh water, cooling fans and compresses. The puppies’ body temperatures ranged between 103 and 104.7 degrees, consistent with heat exhaustion. All the dogs survived and are now being cared for at the shelter.

Sly and De France later contacted deputies and agreed to surrender the animals. Both face 23 counts of animal neglect.

The BrightSide Animal Center is now seeking community support to help care for and rehome the rescued dogs. Those interested in adoption, volunteering or donating can visit the shelter at 1355 NE Hemlock Ave. in Redmond, call (541) 923-0882, or go online to www.brightsideanimals.org. Adoption hours run Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

All suspects are believed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law