IMG_20141223_125414 According to a Coquille Police Department press release and as previously reported here, officers investigated a complaint of animal neglect at a N Baxter residence located near the courthouse.  The apartment in question was found full of trash and animal feces spread throughout every room and officers were overwhelmed by the stench.

Police were unable to immediately reach Bobbi Brooks, the renter of record, or her daughter Katie who had resided at the apartment for some months alone.  According to officers, the elder Brooks initially claimed no knowledge of the neglect but after investigation it was determined that Brooks was fully aware of the condition of both the animals and the apartment. Brooks, who works at the Coos County Courthouse as the administrative assistant to the Coos County Commissioners, has been arrested for animal neglect and booked at the Coos County Jail.

Damage to the apartment is so extensive that a civil suit may be filed by the landlord. In some instances, if damage is caused by the commission of a crime, the landlord may be able to file criminal charges of vandalism and seek restitution through criminal rather than civil court.

Today I visited Zee at the animal shelter and she is doing much better. She smelled strongly of flea medicine and having been properly hydrated and after a couple of good meals her ribs are much less prominent. Zee and the cat have already been adopted because Brooks surrendered them to animal control which begs the question of why she didn’t do this a month ago.

Zee will be living on a boat in Charleston “with her own bunk and pillow and lots of love,” says her excited new owner.

PD Press Release Bobbi Brooks

UPDATE