Woman accused of neglect after 49 animals rescued from Central Oregon puppy mill

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help after it seized dozens of dogs from a home on Elk Lane in Alfalfa, Oregon.

Lorinda Maxwell, 62, was arrested on 49 felony counts of second-degree animal neglect on Sept. 5 after a search warrant led officers to discover she had kept a total of 46 dogs and 3 cats in filthy, unhealthy living conditions, officials said.

“In this case, we believe Maxwell prioritized quantity over quality with profit as the main goal,” said Jason Carr, spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.

“Given how long she’s been breeding and the unhealthy conditions in the home, we’re considering this a puppy mill.”

The sheriff’s office received a tip from a woman who purchased a dog through rescueme.org from the business Kameo Poodles. The woman had concerns about the dog’s health, according to the sheriff’s office.

When deputies arrived, they found a mix of standard, miniature and toy poodles, including two litters of puppies. Many of the animals were living in dirty crates and on soiled blankets, and were in need of medical care, according to Deschutes County Animal Control Technician Maryia Leufven.

The poodles had severe tangles and painful matting in their fur as a result of not being groomed and properly cared for, officials said.

The animals are currently receiving treatment at the Humane Society of Central Oregon. They will remain there throughout the investigation and are not available for adoption at this time.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 541-693-6911.