County raid rescues 13 dogs from squalor in Lents house

Two cats were also taken during this ‘search and seizure’ operation at the outer East Portland residence …

The many filthy animal crates, left behind after the raid at this house, had been removed from the front yard of the outer East Portland residence, when we checked on the day after the “search and seizure warrant” was served.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton

A house at 6319 SE 86th Avenue in the Lents neighborhood, first came to the attention of officials April 3rd. That’s when the City of Portland’s Bureau of Development Services Enforcement Program officers investigated a “Housing, General Complaint” about “Scattered dog feces, no trash service”.

Then, on April 22, another complaint was logged – this one listed as “Trash and debris, dog feces throughout property”. Records showed no official activity on these complaints until Saturday, August 24, when a warrant was issued.

As later confirmed in court documents, the owner of that house, Susan L. Long was also the owner of the animals. “Over the past several months, Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) received a number of calls regarding the citing concerns for the animals in her care.” the indictment said.

While serving a “Search and Seizure Warrant”, officers make their way into the house. PPB image

And it was on Tuesday, August 27, when Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct Neighborhood Response Team (NRT) officers – assisted by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Strategic Prosecution Unit, Multnomah County Animal Services, and the Oregon Humane Society – rolled up to the house. Their mission: to serve a “Search and Seizure Warrant” there.

“The PPB and its partners were acting on information from neighborhood residents who reported malnourished animals were living in hazardous conditions inside a home for months,” a Portland Police spokesperson told reporters.

Inside the house: Some of the animal cages, stacked, several with animals cooped up inside them. PPB image

During the service of the warrant, numerous dogs were found to be neglected and living in unsanitary conditions – many, in stacked cages.

In total, 13 dogs and two cats were discovered and rescued from the home. The animals were taken to the Oregon Humane Society for evaluation and treatment.

While PPB and its partners were at the house, Long arrived and cooperated with the multi-agency investigation, according to police. Animal neglect charges are pending.

A rescue worker points out this dog’s loss of fur and poor medical condition. PPB image

On August 30, the Multnomah Co. District Attorney’s Office revealed that “After a review of the evidence, Long was charged with 15 counts of felony Animal Neglect in the Second Degree and was arraigned this morning on those charges.”

Long is presently prohibited from being in possession of any animals. She has only been charged with a crime at this time and is innocent unless and until proven guilty. And, at this time, Long has not been booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center.

If you have information about this case, contact Detective Consider Vosu – at consider.vosu@police.portlandoregon.gov – and refer to Case No. 24-216436.

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