A Douglas County judge has ordered former dog trainer Haden Dorsey to pay more than $15,000 in restitution after he pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor counts of animal abuse for dogs entrusted to Black Oak Retrievers in Roseburg.

The case centers on three dogs and the veterinary expenses and care they required after being brought from the trainer’s facility, courthouse records show. Douglas County Circuit Court Judge Robert Johnson issued the restitution order following Dorsey’s no-contest plea, and court files list three dogs, three people and 504 hours associated with the matter.

The animals — Willow, Jax and Chuckles — arrived at veterinary clinics in severely compromised condition, according to court and medical records. Willow, a black labrador, had broken teeth, a scar on her nose, smelled of urine and could not stand; her treatment cost about $600. Jax, an Australian Sheppard, was described as lifeless and “smelled like death” when brought for care at the Southern Oregon Veterinary Specialty Center; his bill totaled about $3,800. Chuckles, a yellow retriever/lab mix, was extremely thin, confused and “caked in urine and poop,” and required surgery that amounted to roughly $11,000 in veterinary bills. These alarming facts highlight the severe consequences that can follow animal abuse, which in Oregon can range from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class C felony depending on the circumstances.

Owners and others who encountered the dogs spoke bluntly about their condition. “When he opened the door my dog was lifeless, and he smelled like death,” said Breanne Lacroix, a dog owner. “He was extremely thin, confused and didn’t recognize us,” said Dawn Severns, another owner, who felt relief when Chuckles finally returned home but said the dog remained disoriented. Dog owners should be aware of signs of animal mistreatment, including unexplained wounds, extreme thinness, and lack of access to food and clean water.

Not everyone agreed on how the dogs arrived at the trainer. “Chuckles came to the trainer with this condition, it wasn’t caused by abuse or neglect in any way,” said Daryl Leu, a retired veterinarian.

Records show Dorsey dropped off Chuckles for training in June 2021 and contacted Lacroix about Jax in July 2021. Dorsey entered a no-contest plea to two misdemeanor animal-abuse counts in connection with the case and was sentenced to jail and probation; he has now been ordered to reimburse victims for veterinary and related costs.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Morgan Early handled the prosecution, and the Southern Oregon Veterinary Specialty Center provided critical care for Jax, according to court filings and clinic records.

The restitution order reflects the veterinary costs listed in the case file: about $600 for Willow, $3,800 for Jax and roughly $11,000 for Chuckles. Under Oregon law, animal-abuse convictions can include restitution for veterinary expenses and other costs; the article notes that restitution in this case covers documented veterinary and related expenses. The significant veterinary expenses incurred further illustrate the financial impact of such abuse, which can strain both legal and personal resources for pet owners.

Douglas County Circuit Court Judge Robert Johnson issued the restitution order on Friday after Dorsey pleaded no contest to the two misdemeanor counts; the court directed payment to cover veterinary and related costs suffered by the owners. The case file also records 504 hours connected to the matter.

Dorsey was sentenced to jail and probation as part of the case resolution. The court’s restitution order follows the dismissal of a trial by way of the no-contest plea and is intended to reimburse owners for the documented veterinary care their dogs required.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.