BEND, OR — A months-long investigation by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has led to 25 counts of first-degree animal neglect after more than 100 dead animals were discovered in an abandoned home near La Pine.

William Griffiths, 68, was arrested on June 19, 2025, after deputies located him in a trailer east of Bend. He was booked into the Deschutes County Adult Jail on a warrant issued following a grand jury indictment earlier this month.

The investigation began on October 6, 2024, when a patrol deputy responded to a welfare check at a residence in the 50000 block of Deer Street. A woman attempting to retrieve property reported seeing what appeared to be multiple dead reptiles and noted the home appeared to be abandoned.

When deputies and an animal control officer entered the house, they found more than 100 decomposing animal carcasses, including snakes, lizards, tortoises, rodents, and tarantulas. No people or live animals were present. Under Oregon law, reptiles and invertebrates are included in the statutory definition of animals for purposes of animal neglect.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for the property and identified Griffiths as the owner of the animals. During a later interview, investigators developed probable cause to support the charges now filed against him.