The Cascade County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an animal cruelty case in Sun Prairie.

Deputies responded to a complaint around 1:30 p.m. Aug. 27 at 1323 Eisenhower Ave. of potential animal cruelty, Sheriff Jesse Slaughter said on Aug. 28.

Slaughter said that upon arrival, deputies made contact with the resident, who was cooperative, and observed more than 30 dogs inside the residence, including one deceased dog in the living room.

Deputies observed “extremely poor” conditions inside the home, with ammonia odors and feces covering the floor, Slaughter said.

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Slaughter said they’d had three or four calls to the property previously, but none had risen to the level that deputies were able to get a search warrant, until Aug. 27, and while searching the property, recovered:

• 37 living dogs
• 4 deceased dogs
• 8 cats
• 1 snake
• 5 lizards
• 1 hedgehog

All of those animals were seized by CCSO and transferred to the Maclean Animal Adoption Center for care, under the county’s contract with the facility.

All animals surrendered in cruelty investigation, no charges filed

Nine more dogs were found in a separate structure on the property. A veterinarian evaluated those dogs and deemed them safe and healthy so they remain in place. Those dogs have a different owner, Slaughter said.

The county approved a contract with Maclean in May 2024, shifting from the city animal shelter, for animal shelter services.

Under the agreement, the county pays a flat monthly rate of $200, or $2,400 annually.

That fee increases to $400 per month, or a portion of a month, if Maclean needs additional shelter for animals, such as in the instance of an animal hoarding case, CCSO officials said in 2024.

County switching from city to private dog shelter services

The agreement renews annually with the same terms but the monthly fee may be modified.

Slaughter told The Electric that he’s meeting with Mclean staff on Aug. 29 to discuss the details of care and cost for the animals in this case.

Maclean closed for the afternoon on Aug. 28 and will remain closed Aug. 29 to handle the influx of animals in relation to this investigation.

Maclean will reopen for viewing and adoption by appointment only on Saturday.

“The animals from this particular case will not be available for adoption or foster until further notice,” Maclean said in a post, and the facility won’t be able to intake any animals until further notice.

Slaughter said his budget includes about $5,000 for emergency animal shelter and care for cases such as this.

“This is a complex and heartbreaking case,” Slaughter said. “Animal cruelty touches the hearts of everyone in our community. We are committed to ensuring these animals receive the medical care and safe housing they deserve.”

County working to reach agreement in animal cruelty case [2020]

All of the animals will receive vaccinations and health checks and will likely be placed in foster care during the legal process, Slaughter said, and those foster families must remain in contact with CCSO and Maclean for the duration of the case.

Slaughter said there are persons of interest and County Attorney Josh Racki said his office will likely file charges on Friday or Tuesday, pending the veterinarian’s evaluation of the animals.

Slaughter said Great Falls Police Department animal control officers assisted with the case and Ashley Wilkinson, owner of Fetch, donated food and supplies.

The CCSO’s available funding for the shelter and care of the seized animals will be quickly exhausted, Slaughter said, and he’s asking the community to donate through Sheriff’s Legacy Foundation. Donations can also be dropped off at the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, where they will be processed through the Foundation for accountability. Community members can also donate directly to Maclean.

“We can’t do this without the support of our community,” Slaughter said. “These animals deserve the proper care, and we are grateful for everyone who is stepping up to help.”