Dozens of dogs and livestock were removed last year from property on Lovall Valley Road. Court proceedings have been ongoing for a year to determine who has custody.
Sonoma County has been granted full custody of 25 dogs removed last year from a Sonoma property, and officials say efforts are underway to find them permanent homes.
The ruling came Monday when Judge Oscar Pardo approved the county’s motion for custody ahead of a trial, according to a Sonoma County Superior Court order.
Nine border collies were already up for adoption as of Friday, with 16 more expected to be available once they are spayed or neutered, said Brian Whipple, Sonoma County’s director of animal services. Foster families can also apply to adopt the dogs, which will be listed on the department’s website as they recover.
“Since the dogs have been at the shelter for over a year, all of their immediate health needs (malnutrition, dehydration, neglect) were medically treated as soon as they arrived,” Whipple said in an email to The Press Democrat.
He noted that dogs over age 9 have dental issues requiring treatment, while others are on medication for anxiety and depression. Adopters will need to help the dogs transition off medication.
“We will work with the adopters on that process,” Whipple said.
Ongoing legal challenges
The dogs were among dozens of animals authorities seized last year from property on Lovall Valley Road in Sonoma, leading to a yearlong custody battle. Gilbert and Barbara Parsons, the animals’ owners, were allowed to keep four dogs and a cat under a county ordinance that caps the number of canines per household.
Three dogs were later euthanized. In addition to the 25 remaining dogs, officials removed 63 sheep, 46 chickens, 18 ducks, four turkeys, two horses and two llamas.
According to a petition filed by the Sonoma County Department of Health Services, the animals were found living without food or water, with dogs confined to areas covered in urine and feces. Livestock were underweight and also lacked basic care.
The Parsons were charged in October with seven misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. Their next court appearance is set for Jan. 6.
Bankruptcy filing and delayed proceedings
A final custody ruling was initially expected in November but was delayed after the Parsons filed for bankruptcy, prompting a legal stay on the case. County officials argued the bankruptcy was incomplete, and Judge Pardo ruled this week that the stay was unnecessary.
The Parsons’ attorney has not responded to multiple requests for comment since September, including inquiries about the latest ruling or the allegations against the couple.
$500,000 cost of care
County officials estimate they’ve spent more than $500,000 caring for the animals over the past year. Legal proceedings continue regarding reimbursement and custody of the remaining livestock, Whipple said.
He emphasized the dogs need time to “decompress and learn a new schedule” after leaving the shelter and are best suited for active homes.
“Homes experienced with herding breed dogs would be ideal,” he said. “One thing that we have learned from the foster families is that these dogs acclimate to the home life really well and can fall right into the normal household routine.”
You can reach Staff Writer Colin Atagi at colin.atagi@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @colin_atagi
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2024-12-14 00:30:47
