In brief: Officials allege bestiality at farm
SEATTLE – A formerly wealthy entrepreneur who spent three years in prison for smuggling cocaine is in trouble with the law again – this time for reportedly running a bestiality farm in Washington state.
Douglas Spink was arrested at his compound near the Canadian border in Whatcom County this week for investigation of violating the terms of his supervised release. Also taken into custody was a 51-year-old tourist from Great Britain, who is accused of having sex with three dogs.
Spink was arrested in 2005 as part of a smuggling ring. He was given a lenient sentence because of his extensive cooperation with investigators.
Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo said dogs, horses and mice were seized from Spink’s property. The mice had their tails cut off and were smothered in Vaseline; they had to be euthanized.
Spink’s attorney, Howard Phillips, called the allegations “refutable.”
Otter offers help for port project
LEWISTON – The state will do whatever it can to help the Port of Lewiston reach its potential, Gov. Butch Otter says.
Otter received a tour of the port Friday and spent an hour with Port Manager Dave Doeringsfeld, who updated Otter on a $2.3 million dock expansion proposal that will be paid for in part by a $500,000 state grant.
Funding is still being sought for the remaining $1.8 million, with port officials saying they are working with Idaho’s congressional delegation to get grants or other appropriations.
“Having a seaport 400 miles inland is a huge asset in the transportation cost game,” Otter said, according to the Lewiston Tribune. “This (facility) is a gem, especially with some of the things we’re looking at in terms of green energy development. Some of that equipment is so big and heavy, the port is the only way to bring it in and out.”
The project will double the size of the existing crane dock and allow more barges to load and unload at the same time. The expansion will also make Lewiston a destination for oversized industrial cargo.
Disabled animals ranch will move
MISSOULA – A Montana sanctuary for blind, deaf and maimed animals is moving to New Hampshire.
The owners of Rolling Dog Ranch in Ovando said they will start moving horses, dogs and cats to a 120-acre ranch in Lancaster, N.H., on May 24.
Steve Smith and Alayne Marker founded Rolling Dog Ranch 10 years ago after leaving jobs with Boeing in Seattle. They said the 160-acre Montana ranch will be put up for sale.
The couple said rising gas prices and hour-plus drives to the closest cities of Missoula and Helena are some of the reasons for the move.
The Rolling Dog Ranch last Christmas won a $20,000 first-place prize in a national online contest called Shelter Challenge for its work in caring for disabled animals.