Rabbits, Ducks, Dogs Found Abandoned Dozens Of Rabbits Dead, Others’ Ears Chewed; No Food Around

FROM FOR THE RECORD (Friday, January 23, 1998): Correction Road plowed: Neighbors of a Clayton-area resident who is suspected of abandoning several dozen rabbits, ducks and dogs say their county road has been plowed regularly, contrary to a story in Thursday’s paper.

Stevens County sheriff’s deputies and SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. workers Wednesday rescued about two dozen starving and partially cannibalized rabbits and several other animals that were abandoned at a rural home a few miles north of here.

“The ones that are not skinny are the ones that had been feasting on the other rabbits,” said SpokAnimal animal control supervisor Marilyn Meyer.

She said 43 rabbits were found dead, and four of the survivors had chewed-up ears. Some of the animals were caged outside under about 2-1/2 feet of snow while others were inside an unheated mobile home that reeked of urine and feces, Meyer said.

In addition to the rabbits, officials found a chained German shepherd, six dead ducks and three live ones. One of the surviving ducks died on the way to the shelter in Spokane. A second, unchained dog was too skittish to be caught.

None of the animals had any food when they were found. Meyer said the animals apparently were abandoned at least two weeks ago, because the county road leading to the property hadn’t been plowed in that amount of time and was impassable until road crews got to it this week.

Undersheriff Gilbert Geer said officers haven’t been able to locate the property owner. Meyer said the suspect, Amos McCoy, avoided animal-cruelty charges about nine years ago in Airway Heights by surrendering his livestock to SpokAnimal.

At the time, Meyer said, the man had 200 to 250 rabbits and a number of dogs that were neglected and in poor condition.

, DataTimes