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October 5th, 2005

COUNTY FILES ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES AGAINST ROGER PEDERSON

SKAGIT COUNTY - Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney Tom Seguine announced today that his office has filed animal cruelty charges against Roger Pederson relating to an investigation by the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office in the spring of 2005.  The charges have been filed in Skagit County District Court. 

The charges stem from a Skagit County Health Department investigation relating to a herd of Highland cattle owned by Peterson. The Health Department was asked to investigate the possible health hazards caused by cattle carcasses left unattended on the Peterson property.   Health investigators entering the property for that purpose discovered that animals in the herd were suffering from starvation and malnutrition.  These observations were later confirmed by a veterinarian. 

The prosecutor announced that ten separate counts have been charged specifically related to ten animals examined by the veterinarian. Seven of the counts allege Pederson failed to provide appropriate nutrition and three allege he failed to provide adequate veterinary attention. 

Mr. Pedersen appeared before the Skagit County District Court on September 27, 2005, where he entered pleas of not guilty to each of the charges.  A trial date has not been set.  Each charge is a gross misdemeanor.  If convicted, Pedersen will face up to a $5,000 fine and a year in jail.  Also, the court can order forfeiture of some or all of the animals. 

For  further information contact Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney Tom Seguine or Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katherine Wetmore at 360-336-9460.