30 Maltese dogs seized from Pierce County home. ‘Things got out of control.’
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Pierce County officers seized 30 Maltese dogs due to poor home conditions.
- All dogs were healthy; owner cooperated and no charges will be filed.
- Humane Society urges public support amid high intake and July 4th pet surges.
Thirty dogs were taken to the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County after police seized them from a home in the Bonney Lake area.
According to an Instagram post from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, animal control officers received a barking complaint from a home in the 20600 block of 108th Street on June 5.
“Pierce County Animal Control immediately recognized the home was filled with Maltese dogs and the sanitation of the home was not suited for the dogs or humans,” the post said. “The homeowner admitted to ‘being over her head’ by allowing the dogs to breed and things got out of control.”
The officers got a warrant to take the dogs on June 25, the post said, but the owner voluntarily surrendered them.
“All the dogs were in good health with up-to-date records. 30 dogs were relinquished to our Animal Control Officers and were later turned over to the Humane Society,” the post said. “No charges will be filed against the homeowner at this time.”
In a separate news release, the Humane Society asked the public for help during the week of the Fourth of July – one of the shelter’s busiest times of the year due to lost pets.
“Large-scale intakes put an incredible strain on our resources, and this is the second within the last week,” Lauren Green, spokesperson for the Humane Society, said in the news release. “It’s adding to the challenges we’re already facing, from the flooding of our adoption lobby to dog kennel renovations.”
The release said they are currently caring for 151 dogs, 458 cats and 30 rabbits in the shelter and in foster homes.
“Fireworks and celebrations can be frightening for pets,” Green said in the release. “We see an increased number of animals arriving after getting loose from their homes. It’s a busy and challenging time of year for us.”
Residents can help the shelter during this time by adopting a pet or fostering a pet. Green also said that if residents see a lost animal around the Fourth of July, it might be helpful if they take care of it temporarily.
“If they appear healthy and you can temporarily care for them, (or) you can help reunite them with their family without bringing them to the shelter,” the release said. “The organization provides essential supplies and support to make it possible.”
Residents can contact the humane society at 253-383-2733. It’s located at 2608 Center St. in Tacoma.
This story was originally published June 27, 2025 at 1:56 PM.
