Oregon resident under investigation for allegedly freezing puppies to feed pet snake

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ore. (KATU) — Disclaimer: Some readers may find details of this story disturbing.

An investigation is underway after Columbia County Animal Control received information that a woman was freezing litters of puppies to feed her pet snake.

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office says they served a search warrant Friday, March 22, at the Goble area residence.

Officials say during the execution of the search warrant, the sheriff's office recovered and seized 18 frozen dead puppies. They were taken to the Oregon Humane Society to determine the cause of death. "Once this has been completed, we will submit the case to the DA’s Office," Sheriff Brian Pixley told KATU News.

Several snakes were found at the residence, and one snake was seized by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife as part of the investigation.

Pixley told KATU that the involved person is an adult woman, and that no arrests have been made yet.

Pixley said that investigators believe the freezing of puppies has been going on for about 8 months.

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In a post on Facebook, the sheriff's office thanked the Oregon State Police, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office for this assistance in this case.