Oregon woman gets probation after freezing puppies to feed snake, gets to keep pets

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – An Oregon woman was sentenced on Wednesday for animal abuse charges after authorities learned she froze several litters of puppies to feed her pet snakes in 2023.

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Kathryn Sullivan, 67, initially faced 38 charges of first-degree animal abuse but was ultimately convicted of five felony animal abuse charges. The other 33 animal abuse charges were dismissed.

The case stemmed from a tip authorities received, leading investigators to search her Goble home in March.

“We received information that there was a lady [who] lived up in the Goble area, kind of out by Rainier, Oregon, that had a couple litters of puppies, and she potentially was planning on feeding those puppies to their snakes,” Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley previously told Nexstar’s KOIN.

At the home, authorities found at least 19 dead puppies and eight snakes – two of which were restricted, and one was prohibited and taken by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife.

The puppies were taken to the Oregon Humane Society to determine their cause of death. Officials learned Sullivan suffocated and froze several litters of puppies “in the immediate presence of a minor child,” in August 2023, according to court documents.

After pleading guilty on Wednesday, Sullivan was sentenced to five years’ probation. She must complete 80 hours of community service, take an online animal cruelty prevention course and must pay a $500 fine.

She is also prohibited from possessing or living with animals, besides the five dogs, seven snakes, and five fish she already owns. Jake Kamins, an animal cruelty resource prosecutor for the Oregon Department of Justice who represented the state in this case, told KOIN that during the investigation, law enforcement was not concerned about the well-being of her pets.

In a statement to KOIN, Kamins said, “From the start of this investigation, Ms. Sullivan was forthright and cooperative with law enforcement and took responsibility for her criminal actions. This resolution holds her accountable, ensures the safety of animals in her custody or control, and allows for ongoing supervision and education.”

Authorities previously told KOIN that Oregon law protects domestic animals, including cats and dogs. Sheriff Pixley added that snake owners are urged to follow diets recommended by pet shop owners and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, which handles snake permitting.

“There’s a wide variety of snake food, rats, mice, things like that available through your pet store, alive or frozen,” said Pixley. “Exotic creatures like these have a very specific diet, so it’s better for the health of the animal to make sure you’re sticking to the diet.”

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