A puppy found lethargic in a Lacey parking lot was revived with Narcan after suspected fentanyl exposure, and its owner now faces criminal charges.

Two dogs were involved in the incident at the Old Nisqually Markets parking lot in Lacey, Thurston County, where officers responded after a report of a woman slumped in a vehicle on the morning of July 15. The younger animal, later named Espresso, required life-saving intervention after displaying common signs of opioid exposure such as marked sedation and decreased responsiveness, and recovered; the older dog also received Narcan treatment.

Emergency responders and animal-control personnel arrived at the scene and treated both dogs for opioid exposure. It is worth noting that fentanyl affects pets—and particularly small dogs—at much lower doses than it does humans, due to their smaller body size. Investigators noted two glass pipes and a white powder covering the driver’s seat inside the vehicle, evidence that figures in the prosecutor’s filing.

The Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office has filed charges against the owner, Misty Reddoch, including narcotics possession and animal cruelty. Reddoch was taken into custody on July 17, and a declaration supporting probable cause was filed on July 18. A court appearance is scheduled for next week.

Andrew Filak III, a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office, is part of the office handling the case. The office’s action led to criminal filings after the events in mid-July.

Seattle Humane confirmed the puppy’s recovery and care. “Espresso has been through a lot over the past week! He nearly died from a fentanyl overdose and had to be revived with Narcan,” the shelter said, adding that Espresso has made a full recovery and is now in their care. National statistics show that human prescription medications account for roughly 16–17% of all pet poisoning cases, emphasizing the increasing concern regarding pets’ exposure to human drugs.

Reddoch told responders that the substance was “probably fentanyl,” according to investigators’ notes. Officers arrested her two days after the initial report; she now faces the charges the prosecutor’s office has lodged.

The older dog at the scene was described as lethargic and nodding off; responders administered Narcan to restore responsiveness, a critical treatment since pets can exhibit shallow or slow breathing and low heart rates when affected. Both animals were evaluated and the puppy was transported into shelter care after stabilization.

The sequence of events — a morning welfare call on July 15, an arrest on July 17, and a declaration filed July 18 — forms the timeline cited in the prosecutor’s filings. The Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office is pursuing the case under the charges it filed.

Local coverage of the incident includes reporting by KOMO, which published details from authorities about the scene and the dogs’ treatment.

Seattle Humane said Espresso “made a full recovery and is in Seattle Humane’s care” and continues to coordinate the puppy’s placement and care after the overdose reversal. The prosecutor’s office is moving forward with its criminal case while the animals remain with rescuers.

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Original reporting: view the original article.