Woman linked to shelter deaths surrenders
Friday, August 29, 2008 11:10 AM PDT
MERLIN (AP) — The last of three suspects in last week’s Josephine County animal shelter break-in that resulted in the bludgeoning death of four puppies turned herself in. Sixteen-year-old Holly Hopkins of Merlin surrendered Thursday afternoon. She is charged including burglary, theft and criminal mischief. Two young men arrested earlier face those charges, as well as felony animal abuse.
Hopkins returned the last of the dogs freed when, deputies say, the three broke into the shelter to get an impounded dog belonging to one of them.
There have been six break-ins at the county shelter this year, officials say, mostly people retrieving their animals without paying fines or fees.
