Humane society unhappy with dogs ruling Independent Record
The executive director of the Lewis and Clark Humane Society said she is “very disappointed” with the result of Wednesday’s hearing regarding malamutes seized in a raid in Jefferson County.
District Court Judge Loren Tucker decided that Mike Chilinski, a man facing more than 80 charges of animal cruelty regarding his dog breeding operation, can work with the organization to place at least 70 of his dogs in homes.
“I am very disappointed that Mr. Chilinski will be allowed to ‘re-home’ these dogs to other breeders instead of letting the Humane Society work to adopt them out to rescue groups,” said Gina Wiest, the humane society director. “ My fear is that the dogs will continue to be used as breeding machines to churn out more and more puppies, instead of taken off that treadmill and given to good homes where they can live life as a dog, not a puppy-producing machine.”
Wiest made her comments Thursday, a day after Tucker made his decision at the conclusion of a lengthy hearing on the dogs’ care.
Chilinski stated in court in Boulder Wednesday that he will relinquish ownership of at least half of the dogs as long as he can help determine where the malamutes are placed. There has been some debate over the exact number of dogs seized in an October raid. Chilinski says 139 malamutes were taken, while prosecutors put the number at 161.
The dogs are currently being taken care of by the Lewis and Clark Humane Society after being seized, and are currently being held at an undisclosed indoor location. Officials have estimated the cost of caring for the dogs at $11,000 a month.
Chilinski, 51, testified he has had offers from people from around the world who want his dogs, and that he is renowned as a top breeder. He said malamute rescue organizations have had about 500 applicants who want to adopt his animals.
Tucker said the adoptions can only happen with the understanding that Chilinski will never regain those dogs.
Jefferson County Attorney Matt Johnson alleges that many of the malamutes were emaciated, malnourished and had parasites. The dogs also lacked water and were housed in feces-covered pens, he said.
“It might not be the best scenario,” Johnson told the judge during discussion of the ruling in court.
Chilinski and his lawyer, who could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon, argued that the dogs should be able to return home.
Attorneys for both sides will have 20 days to submit documents in support for their arguments made during the two-part hearing. After that point, Tucker will make further determination on the fate of the dogs that are not placed in the meantime.
While the judge’s timeline was not clear, Wiest said she understood that the shelter would be able to care for the dogs for a least another month before they were released to new homes. She underscored the details were still being worked out, but all costs for shipping, health certificates, transportation and other details relating to the transfer would be the responsibility of the new owners.
While most of the evidence related to the dogs has already been secured, the county still has an obligation to care for the dogs. Some of the expense could be recovered if Chilinski were convicted of animal cruelty and ordered to pay restitution as part of a sentence.
“We will have all the dogs at least another month, and possibly many more for an indeterminate amount of time, depending on the courts,” Wiest said. “The costs continue to mount to care for the dogs, and donations are appreciated and still much-needed.”
Reporter Angela Brandt: 447-4078 or angela.brandt@helenair.com
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