Willow, Alaska – Last week, over two dozen dead sled dogs were found at property in the Caswell Lakes area. According to reports, the husky mixes likely starved to death after being abandoned. Tragically, the local animal control agency had been repeatedly warned about problems on the property, reported to be a dog-sledding kennel called Walker’s Wild Ride, but nobody took action, and the dogs died without care.
One person has been arrested since the grim discovery. Misty Rehder, 35, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with 26 counts of animal cruelty. Area mushers who were familiar with the situation say that the neglect was known months ago, and the officials at Mat-Su Animal Control were notified but did not take action. One good Samaritan claims to have attempted to bring food and straw but claims she was turned away by an animal control officer.
Many of the dogs on the property were chained to plastic barrels, or un-insulated wooden structures – they had no way to escape their slow, painful demise.
A local musher by the name of Mike Dolinar visited the property and found dogs frozen to death in their paltry shelters. Dolinar found one dog who had beaten the odds – that dog, Woody, was rushed to a veterinarian for care.
The local animal control agency has stated they are investigating the situation. Locals are calling for accountability.
independent investigations and reporting.
