Echo Chamberlin

15+ neglected animals found in trailer

Hillsboro, OR

January 24, 2007

Echo Chamberlin of Washington County has been arrested after Officials went into her trailer and found over 15 neglected animals. Washington County Animal Control Officers and Sheriff’s Deputies responded to Northwest Pottery Lane to serve a warrant that alleged 41-year-old Chamberlin was living in a trailer with several neglected animals. An Oregon Department of Transportation employee found a dog that appeared to be injured. Upon closer inspection, it was found that the dog's muzzle had been tied shut and the flesh was decaying around the area. Chamberlin told authorities she tied the dog's mouth shut to cure it of rabies.

     (Photo courtesy of KPTV)

Officers believe Chamberlin may be mentally ill and they were concerned about the other animals on the property. They seized the dog and returned Thursday with a search warrant. When Chamberlin refused to answer the door the Officers had to force the door open. After the first Officer entered the trailer, Chamberlin attempted to hit him in the head with a piece of rebar.

Deputies reported that the trailer was covered with animal feces, urine and rotting food. 10 cats, 1 dog and 2 ferrets were seized and taken to Bonnie L. Hays Animal Shelter.

Chamberlin was booked into the Washington County Jail on charges of attempted assault, assaulting a Public Safety Officer, two counts of animal abuse and 14 counts of animal neglect.

    (Photo courtesy of Washington Co. Sheriff's Office)  Suspects police mug shot.

This is a press release courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff's Department

On Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 11:10 a.m., Washington County Animal Control officers and Washington County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at 20480 NW Pottery Lane in unincorporated Washington County to serve an administrative search warrant on a semi-truck trailer on the property.

The warrant alleged that a woman named Echo Chamberlin, 41 years old, was living in the trailer with several animals that were being neglected.

The warrant was based on information Animal Control officers collected on Monday, January 22, 2007, when an Oregon Department of Transportation worker found a dog that appeared to be injured.

Upon closer inspection of the dog, the ODOT worker found the dogs muzzle had been tied shut and the flesh was decaying around the area. Animal Control officers spoke to Ms. Chamberlin who told them she had tied the dog’s mouth shut to cure it of
rabbis.

They were convinced that she may be mentally ill and were concerned about several other animals on the property. They seized the dog and returned with a search warrant.

When the Washington County deputies knocked on the door to the trailer, Ms. Chamberlin refused to answer.

They eventually forced the door open and entered the trailer. As the first deputy entered the trailer, Ms. Echo came at him and attempted to strike him in the head with a piece of rebar. The deputy was able to subdue her and take her into custody without harming Ms. Chamberlin.

Deputies reported that the trailer was covered with animal feces, urine, and rotting food. They said the stench in the trailer was unbearable. Ten cats, one dog, and two ferrets were seized from the trailer.

Ms. Echo was booked into the Washington County Jail on charges of Attempted Assault I, Assaulting a Public Safety Officer, Animal
Abuse I (2 counts), Animal Neglect II (14 counts).

All the animals went to the Bonnie L. Hays Animal Shelter.

   (Photo courtesy of KOIN News 6)

References:

KATU 2

FOX12 Oregon

KGW News Channel 8

KOIN News 6

The Hillsboro Argus