Omak, WA – On February 8, a car fire in Omak led to the discovery of 21 malnourished dogs. According to a news release from the Omak Police Department, the dogs were living in the vehicle with their owner, who had been using a propane heater for warmth.

The condition of the dogs, coupled with the unsafe and uninhabitable condition of the vehicle, resulted in the dogs being confiscated. The authorities said, “The decision was made based on the unsanitary conditions inside the vehicle, the overcrowding, and the severe neglect, including malnourishment, suffered by many of the dogs.”

Life-saving measures were performed on three of the dogs. According to the authorities, the dogs were transported to the city pound, where they were thoroughly evaluated in cooperation with the Alpine Veterinary Clinic. Thankfully, none of the animals required emergency medical care or euthanasia.

The department thanked those involved with the rescue effort:

The department extends its sincere gratitude to Officer Wert for his unwavering commitment to the animals’ well-being, as well as to the Alpine Veterinary Clinic for their support in providing essential health evaluations and care.
We thank everyone involved for their swift action and compassion in this challenging situation. The safety and care of these animals remain our highest priority as we work diligently to find them suitable foster homes.

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