Animal cruelty charges pending against Islander

Charges of animal cruelty or neglect are pending against a Puget Island man.

Last Wednesday, officers from the Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Department, Cowlitz Humane Society, and the Washington Department of Agriculture executed a search warrant on land owned or leased by Terry Vik, an East Sunny Sands resident.

Wahkiakum County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Bigelow said Tuesday his office is still awaiting a report from the DOA veterinarian. Once all reports are submitted, prosecutors will decide exactly what charges to press, Bigelow said.

In March, the sheriff's office had forwarded complaints that the animals were being neglected and dying to the Humane Society, which provides animal control services to the county on contract.

Humane Society Animal Control Officer Mike Nicholson investigated and said, in papers filed with the request for a search warrant, that he had observed emaciated cattle and carcasses.

Nicholson said he had contacted Vik who said he was "aware of the cattle roaming the fields, and was unaware of the cattle dying."

"Based on your affiant's observations . . . the Vik cattle should be examined by a licensed veterinarian to determine the level of neglect and/or abuse," Nicholson said. "Your affiant believes the cattle got stuck in the muddy ditches and died there."

Vik works for the Town of Cathlamet.