July 30, 2010 in News, City

Dog breeder arrested for gun violation

By The Spokesman-Review
 
Tags:animal rescueSCARPS

Spokane County authorities arrested a woman on a weapons violation today while searching a dog-breeding facility on North Hauser Lake Road, after SCRAPS officers responded to complaints about animal treatment.

The sheriff’s office arrested Wilma L. Turner, 61, for being a convicted felon in possession of two rifles and a pistol, said spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan. Turner owns the licensed, commercial dog kennel.

Three veterinarians performing triage at the kennel will exam more than 100 dogs and a few horses throughout the day, according to SCRAPS director Nancy Hill.

So far one dog has been identified as needing veterinary care, Hill said.

SCRAPS officers have identified 90 adult dogs and between 20 and 40 puppies, mostly poodles or labradoodles, on the property, 26727 N. Hauser Lake Road.

The investigation was launched after SCRAPS received complaints about abuse and neglect of animals at the kennel, Hill said. SCRAPS officers inspected the kennel and determined further investigation was warranted, she said.

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Nine comments on this story so far. Add yours!

  • djslevel on August 01 at 8:36 a.m.

    There is a lot more to this than meets the eye! My eyes have seen this Ranch up close and personal. The pictures the press uses are NOT the kennels. Every story I have found is different in many ways and unclear in even more. Used to the negative. I have assisted Ms Turner in many rescues of animals that have been abused and dropped off on her property. Also animals of other breeders who have not been able to take care of. I have witnessed her animals being shot at with guns and arrows from E Hauser Road and the surrounding hills. When the police were called she was told it would take too much to track down the people involved. Ms Turner has been a reputable breeder in the Spokane area for decades. I have been present during inspections and visits prompted by surrounding neighbors who have harassed Ms Turner. These inspections and visits were unfounded. The question was asked by Ms Turner, if the same person keeps calling and it is evident the complaints are harassment, why isn’t the accuser counseled? IronHorse Ranch was established years before these people moved to the area. Maybe they should have looked elsewhere knowing there was a kennel close by instead of becoming hostile neighbors.
    There are breeders who join together to form “clicks”. They are mean, manipulative, two faced and if they can’t find anything negative to say, they will make it up. This is all done with the intent to destroy those breeders who are highly competitive. This side of the Dog Breeding World has always existed. Those who are not intimidated by these vicious “clicks” are under constant attack to who ever and where ever they can find an audience
    The Press can cause just as much damage if not much more. Do you think you will get answers to the question you have posted about the guns? How about retractions concerning all the wrong information accusations, pictures and damaging conclusions the public is left to imagine? I DON’T THINK SO!

  • djslevel on August 02 at 9:09 a.m.

    This is nothing but a witch-hunt conducted by some of her neighbors. They have continually placed calls to SCRAPS. Every investigation into the complaints have been unfounded. Instead of confronting those with the false accusation, SCRAPS has harassed Ms Turner to the point of their action Friday morning. According to Ms Turner and her lawyer she is advised not to discuss these allegation with anyone yet. But I am here to tell you there are numerous actions against her, by those who registered the complaints and those who have taken unlawful action against her and her property. There have been no charges filed as of this time, nor do I foresee any in the future. Ms Turner has help those who are unable to care for and feed their animals. I have personally seen her take in dogs and horses. She has cleaned them cared for them, found them good homes, returned them to their owners when able to care for them or continued to feed and love them as her own.
    SHAME ON ALL OF YOU

  • djslevel on August 05 at 9:55 a.m.

    SCRAPS were at Wilma’s on Tuesday and passed her inspection. Noted a couple of grooming issues, one dog with an ear issue and one thin dog, which was identified as a wrong breed size. They feed her parrot M&M’s trail mix. Plus upset her so bad she huddled in the bottom corner of her cage. There are many more inappropriate actions from this ANIMAL AGENCY it should warrant an investigation on them to see if they have the total knowledge to be authorized to do what they do.
    Oh by the way, all charges were dismissed in court yesterday on the gun charges. Wilma is not a felon. The Supreme Court reversed the initial charges in 2000. The court was ordered to immediately file the findings. Somebody neglected their responsibility. IMAGAIN THAT!!!!

  • djslevel on August 05 at 9:56 a.m.

    They crossed litters in pens when asked not to because of their age and vaccination levels. They took newborn babies from a nursery. Which by the way were a large number of the dogs they reported. Fat, healthy, nursing babies in a controlled, clean and in house environment. Now where are they? In the SCRAPES facility exposed to who knows what may have been brought in there. Yes there were a couple dogs that needed grooming. But you have a beginning and an end while getting every dog groomed. They also took older dogs that were living out their lives with the people that cared for them and loved them. Can you imagine what turmoil and stress all these dogs are experiencing.

  • djslevel on August 05 at 9:56 a.m.

    The truth will come out. Unfortunately the damage has been done. Wilma has always been a partial rescue kennel and as of lately she has taken in dogs that were starving and brought to her in small cages that were covered in feces and the dogs so badly covered she had to clean them and treat them directly from the vehicle that brought them to her. She has also taken in dogs from several local breeders that were unable to care for and treat due to the lack of money.
    SCRAPES did more harm than good on her property. There official paper work listing the dogs they took is so inaccurate as to which run, breed type and number of dogs taken it had to be corrected for her attorney. They roped off areas in such a manner that remaining animals were able to tangle themselves to the point of possible strangulation. They trapped areas because they said the animals should not have sun. When in reality they were in the early morning sun and had adequate houses and shelter to use when they needed

  • djslevel on August 05 at 10:16 a.m.

    Viscous neighbors caused all this. They were actually standing out side the property when this raid occurred taking pictures and video. We also were taking pictures of faces and license plate numbers. One of the hens has had encounters with IronHorse Ranch previously unlawfully trapping two animals. Not Dogs Folks She has too much time on her hands and needs to clean up her closets instead of minding someone else’s. The others are being identified. Oh By the Way ALL GUN CHARGES WERE DISMISSED! THERE WERE NEVER FELONY CHARGES. THE SUPERIOR COURT DISMISSED THE CASE IN 2000. Get your facts straight!
    NO knows the truth unless you were there. That is the simple fact. I would be very careful of what you say. There IS a way for your postings to be tracked through a court order. Some of you better hope Wilma and her property, which included the animals, stay in good health.
    Her lawyer in on top of all of this and the truth will be known. Karma is a B–H.

  • djslevel on August 05 at 10:17 a.m.

    SCRAPS were at Wilma’s on Tuesday and passed her inspection. Noted a couple of grooming issues, one dog with an ear issue and one thin dog, which was identified as a wrong breed size. They feed her parrot M&M’s trail mix. Plus upset her so bad she huddled in the bottom corner of her cage. There are many more inappropriate actions from this ANIMAL AGENCY it should warrant an investigation on them to see if they have the total knowledge to be authorized to do what they do.
    Oh by the way, all charges were dismissed in court yesterday on the gun charges. Wilma is not a felon. The Supreme Court reversed the initial charges in 2000. The court was ordered to immediately file the findings. Somebody neglected their responsibility. IMAGAIN THAT!!!!

  • djslevel on August 05 at 10:18 a.m.

    The truth will come out. Unfortunately the damage has been done. Wilma has always been a partial rescue kennel and as of lately she has taken in dogs that were starving and brought to her in small cages that were covered in feces and the dogs so badly covered she had to clean them and treat them directly from the vehicle that brought them to her. She has also taken in dogs from several local breeders that were unable to care for and treat due to the lack of money.
    SCRAPES did more harm than good on her property. There official paper work listing the dogs they took is so inaccurate as to which run, breed type and number of dogs taken it had to be corrected for her attorney. They roped off areas in such a manner that remaining animals were able to tangle themselves to the point of possible strangulation. They trapped areas because they said the animals should not have sun. When in reality they were in the early morning sun and had adequate houses and shelter to use when they needed to

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