Rescues may be needed Friday! (7) dogs (4) horses

Whatcom County man arrested in animal cruelty case

COURT DATE:
Friday, June 11th at 1:30 pm
Whatcom County Superior Court
Bellingham, WA
The Judge will decide who takes ownership of the animals


by JAKE WHITTENBERG / KING 5 News

http://www.king5.com/news/pets-and-a...-91003384.html

Posted on April 15, 2010

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Federal agents uncover a bizarre sex operation in
Whatcom County that involves animals and a business that has attracted
people
from all over the world.
In a crudely built compound tucked into the backwoods near the
Canadian border,
federal investigators say crimes were happening that are too
disturbing to describe.
Under the blue tarps they say people from around the world would stay
as sex
tourists invited to abuse animals.
Among them is 51-year-old Stephen Clarke visiting from England on a
month-long
trip to the U.S.
He now sits in the Whatcom County Jail on three counts of cruelty to
animals in the form of bestiality.
Kelli and Ron McDonald had no idea such activity was happening on
their rural
road, but they say there always seemed to be traffic.
"There is a lot of trucks up and down, but we didn't know anything
about that," said Ron.
"I'm shocked," said Kelli. "Whoever the guy is, lock him up and get
him out of
here."

U.S. probation officers raided the compound looking for Douglas Spink
who is
suspected of running the operation and maintaining a Web site
displaying home
video of sexual abuse against animals.
Spink, a once millionaire businessman, was on parole for felony drug
charges from 2005. He was convicted of transporting hundreds of
pounds of cocaine through Snohomish County and served three years.
"You'd think you've seen it all in 36 years," said Whatcom County
Sheriff Bill Elfo. He says dozens of horses and dogs were seized from
the compound. Some of them were so injured they had to be
euthanized.
"This shows there is something new that is shocking even to law
enforcement," he
said. But this case could be even more widespread. Investigators are
searching through home video taken from the compound, which could
result in additional arrests.
Douglas Spink will appear in a Seattle courtroom Friday morning. He is
accused of violating his parole.
It is not clear what other charges he'll face. Animal cruelty is now
a felony offense in Washington state.


Spink was a married Oregon breeder of Golden Retrievers, and an
American Kennel Club trial judge in the 1990's


http://www.pasadosafehaven.org

Speak up - Animals from bestiality case need your help

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s office is continuing their investigation
into Douglas Spink and the activities on his Suma, WA compound. Spink
was arrested for parole violation last month after a federal raid on
his residence turned up evidence of an animal sex operation. Read more
on the history of this case here.

Spink may ultimately be charged with animal cruelty but in the
meantime seven dogs and four horses removed from the scene are being
cared for by the Whatcom County Humane Society in Bellingham, WA. This
organization has spent thousands of dollars caring for the innocent
animals at the center of this despicable operation and have now filed
a motion with the courts so they may be awarded permanent custody of
the animals. Until custody is decided there is a chance that Spink can
get the animals back. This must not happen! They have suffered
unimaginably and deserve to be kept safe, away from Spink or anyone
associated with him. The Humane Society will not be able to make the
necessary arrangements for the long-term care of the animals until
they are awarded custody


What You Can Do!

Join Pasado's in a peaceful presence at the following:

Friday, June 11th at 1:30 pm
Whatcom County Superior Court
Bellingham, WA
The Judge will decide who takes ownership of the animals

Monday, June 14, 2010 at 9 am
Seattle Courthouse
Seattle, WA
Parole Violation Trial


We must send a strong message to the courts to protect these animals
from any further harm and award custody of the dogs and horses to the
Whatcom County Humane Society as soon as humanly possible.

Please send a polite and professional message to

speakup (AT) pasadosafehaven.org

voicing your support for the motion filed by the Whatcom County Humane
Society. Please reference case # # 10-2-01265-2. We will deliver your
comments to the Judge.