49 Animals Rescued In Puppy Mill Case, Woman Arrested For Neglect

Troubling Case of Animal Neglect in Deschutes County, Oregon

Authorities in Deschutes County, Oregon, have uncovered what they believe to be a large-scale puppy mill operation, rescuing 49 animals from neglectful conditions. Deputies seized 46 dogs—most of them poodles—along with three cats from the property of 62-year-old Lorenda Maxwell. Many of the animals were underweight, severely matted, and showed clear signs of prolonged neglect.

The investigation began after a woman who had purchased a dog from Maxwell grew concerned about its health soon after bringing it home. Her report to the sheriff’s office prompted a deeper look into Maxwell’s operation. Following their findings, Maxwell was arrested and booked on 49 felony counts of second-degree animal neglect.

According to Jason Carr of the sheriff’s office, the scale of the rescue and the condition of the animals strongly pointed to a puppy mill. All of the seized dogs and cats were transported to the Humane Society of Central Oregon, where staff are now caring for them. The sudden influx of animals has pushed the shelter to 200% of its normal capacity, forcing some kennels to hold two or even three dogs at a time. While the small size of most of the poodles makes the situation somewhat more manageable, the strain on staff and resources remains overwhelming.

Complicating matters further, the animals cannot yet be adopted. Because Maxwell has not voluntarily surrendered them, they remain classified as evidence in the ongoing criminal case. This means the Humane Society must continue to provide food, medical treatment, and daily care for weeks—or potentially months—until the court case is resolved. Staff emphasized that this period of uncertainty places a heavy burden on both workers and the organization’s resources, but their priority is ensuring the animals are safe and receiving proper care.

Community members have expressed outrage at the alleged neglect, but officials urge them to direct any questions about the case to the sheriff’s office so shelter workers can focus entirely on caring for the animals. While formal charges have not yet been filed, deputies confirmed the investigation is active and ongoing.

For now, the rescued animals are finally safe, removed from the neglectful environment they endured. Their long-term futures will depend on the outcome of the case. Once the legal process concludes, these dogs and cats will have the chance to be adopted into loving homes where they can begin new lives filled with the care and compassion they deserve.

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This content was created with AI assistance and edited by the iHeartDogs team.