Deschutes County, OR. -– Official Release: A 75-year-old man from the unincorporated area of Deschutes County has been arrested in connection with an animal abuse investigation involving a 5-month-old Dachshund puppy.
On April 26, 2025, at approximately 11:30 a.m., a Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office deputy and animal control officer responded to a report of alleged animal abuse in the 15000 block of Sparks Drive in south Deschutes County. A witness reported seeing a resident beating a dog with a shovel and indicated that the incident was captured on video.
Deputies contacted the suspect, identified as John Coe Richardson, 75, of La Pine, Oregon. Richardson was uncooperative during the initial contact, and deputies could not seize the dog then. In the meantime, the case was forwarded to the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office for legal review.
On April 29, deputies began coordinating with the District Attorney’s Office to develop a safety plan to make contact and arrest Richardons. On April 30, at approximately 12:50 p.m., deputies located Richardson in the La Pine area and took him into custody without incident.
Three dogs, including the victim animal, were safely removed from Richardson’s possession and transported for evaluation. The animals have been lodged with the Central Oregon Humane Society for additional care and support.
Richardson was lodged at the Deschutes County Adult Jail and is facing the following charges:
- ORS 167.322 – Aggravated Animal Abuse in the First Degree (Class C felony)
- ORS 167.325 – Animal Abuse in the Second Degree
The investigation is ongoing and additional information may be released in the future.
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