Tag: kenneth cassell

By Caleb Hutton

A Ferndale-area man was convicted this week of running a “puppy mill” of 48 Australian Shepards.

I plan on covering his Nov. 7 sentencing in district court. So we’ll do a full story then. For now, here’s the Whatcom Humane Society’s press release.

On October 31, 2012 Kenneth Martin Cassell was convicted in Whatcom County District Court of 3 counts of animal cruelty in the second degree – RCW 16.52.207 (1) – and 1 count of violating the Washington State dog breeding law – RCW 16.52.310 (a), dog breeding/required conditions.

On April 6, 2012 Whatcom Humane Society (WHS) Animal Control Officers served a warrant at a property on W. 40th Drive in Ferndale owned by Kenneth Cassell. At that time, WHS seized 48 miniature Australian Shepherd dogs from a barn located on the property.

WHS reported the dogs, ages newborn puppies to older adults were found living in small, dirty cages, were filthy, covered in dried feces, underweight, suffered severe dental disease and exhibited behavior traits associated with “puppy mill” breeding operations.

“Our organization is extremely happy with the verdict rendered” says WHS Executive Director Laura Clark. Clark adds, “Our dedicated staff worked tirelessly to protect and care for the dogs involved in this case and we are very thankful for the work done by members of the Whatcom County Prosecutor’s Office.”

The conviction based on the recently passed dog breeding law (also know as the “puppy mill law”) is one of the first obtained in Washington from evidence gathered by an animal control agency or humane society.

“This conviction is a real milestone and victory for animals” says Clark. “Hopefully our efforts and hard work will set precedent for other agencies like ours to prosecute animal abusers in their communities”.

WHS obtained legal custody of all the dogs associated with this case earlier this summer. WHS reports that every dog involved in the case was placed into new homes or transferred to private non-profit animal adoption agencies.

Kenneth Martin Cassell is scheduled to be sentenced on November 7th in Whatcom County District Court.

He faces a lifetime ban on owning dogs and up to one year in jail.