PORT ANGELES — A Sequim man has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor animal cruelty charges.
John Dashti, 61, was charged with two counts of animal cruelty in the second degree when he appeared in Clallam County District Court last Friday.
The Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed the misdemeanor animal cruelty charges against Dashti on July 13.
Animal cruelty in the second degree is knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence inflicting unnecessary suffering or pain upon an animal under circumstances not amounting to first-degree animal cruelty, according to state statutes.
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 bond, which he must pay in cash to the court by 10 a.m. this Friday to avoid a warrant being issued for his arrest.
If Dashti pays the bond on time, his next court date is scheduled for Sept. 8 at 1:30 p.m.
The charges allege Dashti failed to provide necessary medical care to two donkeys in his possession, according to a criminal complaint.
Conviction of each misdemeanor could result in a fine of up to $5,000 and up to 364 days in jail, according to the criminal complaint.
The Sheriff’s Office had investigated allegations of animal abuse at Dashti’s property southwest of Sequim for a couple of months after being contacted by neighbors who reported several animal carcasses left to rot on the premises.
In late June, law enforcement officials confiscated nearly all of Dashti’s livestock because of parasitic load, malnourishment, lack of basic care and unsanitary conditions, said Brian King, chief criminal deputy for the Sheriff’s Office.
On June 29, law enforcement returned to the property to confiscate two pigs, a Bernese mountain dog, 12 rabbits, various chickens and about 60 quail.
Those animals had been left behind during the initial seizure because a veterinarian on-site issued them a clean bill of health and deputies ensured they had adequate access to food and water.
That changed when one of Dashti’s three pigs died.
The dead pig established a basis for seizing the remaining animals, even though there was no outward sign of neglect, King said.
The pig carcass was removed by law enforcement.
The seized animals were transported to the nonprofit Center Valley Animal Rescue near Quilcene.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.
