Not guilty plea in puppy mill case
06:19 PM PST on Thursday, February 26, 2009
Not guilty plea in puppy mill case | Local News | KING5.com | News for Seattle, Washington
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. - A Skagit County couple has pleaded not guilty in connection with a major puppy mill case.
Richard and Marjorie Sundberg are facing felony animal cruelty charges after more than 400 dogs were seized from their property last month.
On Thursday the prosecutor asked the judge to sign an order that would allow 75 of those dogs to receive dental care.
The Sundbergs' attorney asked for more time to review the order.
"Many of the teeth are just hanging on in there, and just ready to fall out, beyond the pain of the actual teeth and their gums the infections that go along with horrible dental care like that start running through the whole body," said Austin Gates of NOAH Animal Rescue, one of the agencies that has taken in some of the dogs.
The judge will rule on the dental request next week, when the Sundbergs return to court.
Prosecutors tried unsuccessfully last week to get a judge to order the Sundbergs to post a $100,000 bond to help pay for the care of the seized animals.