Dog cruelty case seems headed to happy ending

Elizabeth Merritt launched “poodlemania” when 41 dogs were confiscated from her Spokane Valley home more than a year ago.

The dogs – some of which allegedly had hair matted with feces and urine – filled the county’s shelter.

After employing volunteers to clean and groom the animals, there was an adoption frenzy as people vied to take home 31 poodles, one sheltie and two Chihuahuas.

The months since have been difficult for both Merritt, 68, and her dogs.

Merritt had eight misdemeanors – including two counts of animal cruelty – filed against her. Three of the dogs were sick and had to be euthanized. Merritt was allowed to keep four. The other 34 were adopted out by Spokane Regional Animal Care and Protection Services, SCRAPS.

Many of the new owners realized they’d adopted dogs that were scared or poorly socialized.

Yet the story seems headed for a happy ending.

The dogs have become loving members of new homes, and Merritt’s legal troubles are largely behind her.

Merritt showed up in court Friday to accept a plea deal with county prosecutors. Merritt pled guilty to having an illegal kennel. She also entered an Alford plea on one misdemeanor animal cruelty charge. Basically, Merritt acknowledged there would be enough evidence to find her guilty, but she did not admit guilt. The remaining cruelty charge and charges of confining animals in an unsafe manner – many were kept in cages in her basement – were deferred or dismissed.

She will not serve any jail time.

Merritt bred and showed poodles for years. But she became increasingly picky about whom she would let adopt the dogs. More poodles were being born, and Merritt wouldn’t part with them.

When they got old and sick, she couldn’t bear to have them euthanized.

In a past interview, Merritt said she usually kept conditions sanitary, but she had gotten sick in the days before the raid.

“Mrs. Merritt doesn’t have a cruel bone in her body. It was just something that occurred because of illness,” Public Defender Rusty Baker said in court.

Most important was to make sure Merritt didn’t start collecting dogs again, said Deputy Prosecutor Jim Kaufman. The agreement stipulates that SCRAPS officers can come and check Merritt’s home with 30 minutes notice.

“I think the big thing is to hold her accountable and get her in a situation where there will be no further abuse,” said Kaufman.

Merritt declined to be interviewed after Friday’s court hearing, but she said she was satisfied with the outcome. She will have to pay restitution, although the amount has not yet been set.

Bob and Molly Egeland adopted Merritt’s sheltie.

At first, Sadie the Lady was afraid of everything. That lasted about eight months, Molly Egeland said. Sadie still won’t chase a ball or play, Egeland said.

“She’s fine now, but it took a long time. I didn’t realize they could be so damaged,” Egeland said.

At first, Egeland said she was angry with Merritt. Now, she just feels bad about the situation.

Barbara Lomax adopted one of Merritt’s poodles, Chanel.

Lomax went to the hearing Friday and said she was disappointed Merritt wasn’t given a harsher sentence because of the pain she caused her animals.

“To me, you need to think about what the animal is going through instead of what you’re going through,” Lomax said.

Lomax said she tried to adopt a poodle from Merritt many years ago and should’ve realized that all was not right at her home. The poodle Lomax got from SCRAPS was timid and scared, and it was not housetrained.

Yet in recent months, Chanel has settled into the Lomax family.

“She’s a real joy now,” Lomax said.