SEQUIM — Animals seized from a Sequim-area residence in late June have been turned over to the custody of the Center Valley Animal Rescue in Quilcene, which can now put them up for public adoption.
Seventy-four animals were taken in June to the center for rehabilitation.
All of the animals had remained in the custody of Clallam County but been cared for at the center since being seized, said Sara Penhallegon, shelter director.
The animals previously were owned by John Dashti, 60, who remains jailed on a misdemeanor trespassing charges.
Dashti was given until Oct. 6 to file a motion to reclaim his seized animals but failed to do so, said Kristina Nelson-Gross, Clallam County civil deputy prosecuting attorney.
Under state law, RCW 16.52.085, an owner relinquishes any rights associated with seized animals if he or she does not petition the court in the prescribed amount of time.
In late June, law enforcement officials confiscated nearly all of Dashti’s livestock — two donkeys, two sheep, two pigs, a Bernese mountain dog, 12 rabbits, various chickens and about 50 quail — from his residence on Serenity Lane.
Dashti has since been evicted from the property.
The animals were seized because of parasitic load, malnourishment, lack of basic care and unsanitary conditions, Brian King, chief criminal deputy for the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, has said.
“Now that the animals are in better condition and the medical issues have been resolved, our first action will be to spay/neuter the animals,” Penhallegon said.
“Then they will be ready for adoption. We’re so glad that, through carefully screened adoption applications, these animals will have a chance to experience the better side of human nature.”
For information about how to adopt the animals, contact the center at 360-765-0598 or visit its website at www.centervalleyanimalrescue.org.
Dashti was charged with two counts of animal cruelty in the second degree — both misdemeanors — when he appeared in Clallam County District Court on July 31.
The Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed the animal cruelty charges against Dashti on July 13.
Charlie Commeree, a Clallam Public Defender attorney appointed by the court to represent Dashti, entered a not-guilty plea on his client’s behalf.
Dashti was released on $250 bail, which he paid in cash to the court Aug. 6.
A trial date has not been set, Nelson-Gross said.
Dashti was arrested Oct. 2 for allegedly trespassing near a county roadway where he was squatting, according to the arrest narrative.
He remained incarcerated Tuesday on $500 bail, according to the Clallam County jail roster.
After being informed in court July 10 he had 20 days to vacate the property, Dashti moved several vehicles onto an adjacent county roadway and stayed there, King said.
On Sept. 10, King spray-painted an orange line marking the boundary between the county right of way and woodlands owned by Bernard Flath to the south of Otter Way, according to the arrest narrative.
Flath, on Aug. 26, had emailed a letter to the Sheriff’s Office stating Dashti was not permitted to be on his property, nor store any personal property on the premises.
On Sept. 15, deputies visited Dashti at the site and observed him about 18 feet south of the orange boundary line, Deputy Benjamin Tomco wrote in the narrative.
Dashti was cited for criminal trespass in the second degree — a misdemeanor — released and ordered to appear in court at 9 a.m. Oct. 2.
During proceedings Oct. 2 in Clallam County District Court 1, Judge Rick Porter ordered Dashti to stay off Flath’s property.
Dashti pleaded not guilty to the trespassing charge and was released.
At about 7 that night, deputies visited Otter Lane to ensure Dashti was in compliance with the court order not to trespass on Flath’s property.
Although Dashti wasn’t present, Deputy Ralph Edington said “the majority” of his property remained on Flath’s property.
At about 10:14 p.m., Edington and Sgt. Randy Pieper returned to the site after receiving a complaint from a neighbor who said Dashti was “slamming doors and yelling.”
Upon arrival, “Pieper and I walked up to where the noise was coming from,” Edington wrote in the arrest narrative.
“The painted boundary line was plainly visible, [and] John was obviously on [Flath’s] property.”
Dashti was then arrested on a second charge of trespass in the second degree and booked into the jail.
He pleaded not guilty to the second trespassing charge Oct. 5.
Dashti is scheduled for a review hearing Oct. 23.
This hearing will address the animal cruelty case and both trespassing cases, Nelson-Gross said.
Three travel trailers, two trucks, one horse trailer and various personal belongings owned by Dashti remained on Flath’s property south of the orange marker Tuesday morning.
________
Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.
