Suspects identified in College Hill animal cruelty case

Pullman PD recommends multiple felony, misdemeanor animal cruelty charges

LIAM CONNORS, Deputy news editor

The Pullman Police Department has identified two suspects in the College Hill animal cruelty investigation, according to a Pullman PD press release

After over 300 hours of investigation, 21-year-old Carson Hammer and 20-year-old WSU student Sydney Weston have been identified, according to the press release.

Pullman PD recommended to the Whitman County Prosecutor’s Office that multiple felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty charges be filed. 

Pullman PD obtained a search warrant and officers reportedly found 12 animals dead including one dog, three ferrets, three sugar gliders, two rodents, one ball python, one bearded dragon and one gecko, according to the release. 

 Several animals were also found alive including two cats, two dogs, two hedgehogs, one bearded dragon, one leopard gecko and one tortoise. Many of the animals were very dehydrated and in poor condition. The animals were taken to the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and some animals were later transferred to the Whitman County Humane Society for individualized care, according to the release. 

 Healthy animals will be available for adoption at WCHS, according to the release. The animals are under the custody of Pullman PD. They will continue to receive proper professional care from staff at both the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and WCHS and are making daily progress.