Dog Abuse Case Touches Many Nerves Offices Flooded By Calls From Angry, Concerned People

Pend Oreille County officials were shaking their heads Tuesday at an avalanche of phone calls from people who seem to care more about animals than humans.

Deputy Prosecutor Tony Koures has gotten far more calls about his case against two alleged dog abusers than last year’s case involving an 11-year-old boy who was so brutalized by his parents he lost use of his left hand.

“The amount of phone calls that have come in today raises concern about people’s priorities,” said Greg Hicks, another deputy prosecutor. “We don’t get that kind of response to our rape cases, child abuse or domestic violence.

“Few, if any, people call and offer sympathy to those victims, but when an animal is abused, there is a great public outcry. It is terrible to see a defenseless animal harmed, but I wish we would get this kind of response when humans are hurt or need support,” Hicks said.

At the prosecutor’s office, receptionist Leitia Evans was getting calls every two minutes Tuesday from people angry with Koures for agreeing to let Sven and Jeanette Bergman out of jail without bail.

The Bergmans were arrested Saturday on animal cruelty and fraud charges following a raid at their Mountaintop Kennels. Authorities said they found 220 dogs in deplorable conditions at the wooded property eight miles north of Newport.

About 25 dogs were in such poor health they had to be put to death. Others were mutilated, malnourished or diseased from living in filth, investigators said.

“I guess a radio station in Seattle put Tony’s name on the air and gave our number and told people to call and voice their opinion,” Evans said. “And, believe me, they have.”

Before Evans could say more, the phone rang again. The call was from the state attorney general’s office in Seattle, seeking an explanation for the calls that were pouring in there, too.

A few minutes later, the attorney general’s office called back to say calls were being routed to the governor’s office, and Pend Oreille County officials should consider holding a press conference.

Koures, on his way to court for one of his numerous routine cases, had little time to talk about the wrath that was showered on him Tuesday.

He said few of the callers seemed to realize that the Bergmans can’t be jailed for more than 72 hours unless formal charges are filed. It may be a month before the sheriff’s department can deliver a full report on the complicated case, “and I can’t charge without reports,” Koures said.

“They would be out of jail anyway,” he said, adding that sheriff’s officials agree the Bergmans are not likely to flee because of their ties to the community.

All of the couple’s animals have been seized and a judge has prohibited them from acquiring more.

Sheriff’s dispatchers estimated they have received 2,500 phone calls and more than 200 faxes since the kennels were raided. Most of the calls have been from people who want to adopt the rescued dogs - including golden retrievers, English bulldogs and mastiffs.

The sheriff’s department urged people not to call. Anyone with criminal allegations against the Bergmans was urged to send a fax to (509) 447-2222.

Authorities said people who want to adopt a dog should call Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue at (206) 654-1117. Callers who want to donate food or money to the rescue operation are being referred to Purebred Dog Rescue and Paws Abilities at (800) 730-3794.

An answering machine at Purebred Dog Rescue tells people to call after 7 p.m. “due to the extremely high volume of calls.”

Jeanette Bergman’s attorney, Dennis Scott, figured the dog-abuse case was responsible for five hangup calls his office got in one hour Tuesday.

Meanwhile Tuesday, Scott discovered he has a conflict and may have to drop the case. He already represents neighbors of the Bergmans, Leo Yates and Sherry Hoskins, who are contesting a $65,000 judgment Jeanette Bergman won against them.

The judgment was awarded in April 1995 when Yates and Hoskins failed to respond to a complaint that their unfenced horse kicked Jeanette Bergman.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: TO HELP Criminal case: Fax information to the Pend Oreille Sheriff’s Department (509) 447-2222. Adoption: People wishing to adopt a dog can call Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue at (206) 654-1117. Donations: Those who want to donate food or money may contact Purebred Dog Rescue and Paws Abilities at (800) 730-3794.