APPEAL DENIED: Willow breeder must forfeit dogs

PALMER – A borough adjudicator has ruled that a Willow-area dog breeder must forfeit the more than 190 dogs authorities seized in January.

Frank Rich’s lot near Montana Creek was raided Jan. 10 and Rich was arrested, charged with 50 counts of animal cruelty. He has since bailed out of jail but appeared by telephone, rather than in person, at the Feb. 8 hearing when the borough decided what to do about the dogs.

The 30-page ruling outlines the borough’s case against Rich, detailing how the dogs were found starving and some dead.

“Based on the above findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is hereby ordered that the following animals taken into protective custody in this case are forfeited to the Matanuska Susitna Borough pursuant to MSB 24.40.030.”

The attached 6-page spreadsheet lists 193 dogs by ID number, age, sex and color.

The dogs have been living at the borough’s animal shelter since they were seized. They have been the beneficiaries of multiple thousands of dollars in donations as well as in-kind donations of dog food, dog houses and the like. On Jan. 31, the borough moved to take the dogs permanently. Rich appealed, prompting the Feb. 8 hearing.

Rich’s criminal trial is separate from the borough’s forfeiture hearings. He is next due in court on Friday for a pre-trial conference.