COLLEGE PLACE, WA – A case involving multiple counts of animal cruelty is under investigation in College Place after police discovered numerous deceased and neglected animals inside a local apartment. Two residents, 21-year-old Benjamin Read and 19-year-old Austen Devaney, were taken into custody earlier this week in connection with the findings, which may lead to both state and federal charges.
College Place Police were dispatched on May 18 to an apartment in the 200 block of North College Avenue after a neighbor reported a foul odor and noted she had not seen the occupants in nearly two months. Officers arrived to find an alarming scene: an apartment filled with filth, animal carcasses, and no evidence of food or water for the remaining animals.
Police observed dogs walking through piles of dried feces and trash, alongside numerous dead cats and birds. Three birds were found alive but in poor condition. During a subsequent search, officials from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) discovered preserved animal remains in a freezer, including some believed to be protected species.
Authorities say Read and Devaney were allegedly attempting to operate a taxidermy business. Read was taken into custody on May 20, and Devaney turned himself in on May 21. Both were booked into the Walla Walla County Jail on 22 counts of first-degree animal cruelty, a felony under Washington state law.
However, legal developments have raised concerns. On May 21, Walla Walla County Judge Fulton released Read on his own recognizance. The following day, Devaney was also released without charges formally filed, due to what the court cited as insufficient probable cause for arrest at the time. Charges against Read remain active.
In a public statement issued Friday, College Place Mayor Norma L. Hernández expressed heartbreak and outrage over the incident.
“The suffering inflicted upon these innocent animals is beyond comprehension and has shaken our entire community,” Mayor Hernández stated. She praised local police officers for their swift and compassionate response, adding, “Their dedication to protecting all community members, human and animal alike, deserves our utmost respect and appreciation.”
The mayor emphasized the city’s commitment to due process and transparency as the investigation continues. She also acknowledged the involvement of WDFW, which may pursue additional charges—potentially at the federal level—given the involvement of exotic and protected species.
The City of College Place urges residents to remain patient and engaged while authorities conduct follow-up interviews and gather further evidence.