Animal lovers are reeling after the Washington Attorney General's Office filed felony charges against a Sequim woman accused of egregious animal neglect, resulting in widespread suffering on her property. Angela Jacobsen is facing 30 counts of animal cruelty, with each count carrying a maximum sentence of five years behind bars and a hefty $10,000 fine.

The charges come after investigators discovered an assortment of animals, ranging from dogs to exotic birds, living in deplorable conditions at Jacobsen's residence. According to official reports, many were emaciated and lacked access to clean water and adequate food. The animals lived both inside and outside the house amidst filth and unsanitary conditions, a scenario that could only be described as a house of horrors for the helpless creatures.

Acting on tips, the Welfare for Animals Guild uncovered the grim reality late December 2021, prompting authorities to intervene. Over 200 animals were rescued in early 2022 inf diseased and desperate states, requiring immediate medical attention and care. The AG's office has emphasized that the allegations in their affidavit stem from the meticulous veterinary records and observations of the suffering animals.

Assistant attorneys general Scott Halloran and Courtney Blackburn are spearheading the prosecution. While the information in the affidavit paints a damning picture, it must be noted that Jacobsen, like anyone accused, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The Attorney General's Office is bound by professional conduct rules, limiting their ability to publicly discuss the case as it heads to trial.

Despite the constraints, the Attorney General's Environmental Protection Division has accepted a referral from the Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney to take on what it notes as an egregious violation of Washington's Felony Animal Cruelty Statute. For the animals that once called Jacobsen's property home, this legal action may provide a semblance of justice for their unspoken plight.