Probation violation leads to jail time animal possession

Debra Lawson, who ran Angel Wings Pet Sanctuary, served two days in jail last week after violating the terms of her probation after local law enforcement found 16 vertebrate animals on her property.

In May, Lawson pled guilty to three counts in a deal with the State of Washington in District Court presided over by Judge Heidi Heywood. Lawson pled guilty to operating a shelter and failure to tag each dog or cat, operating a shelter and failure to provide indoor facilities adequately ventilated to remove foul odors, and operating a shelter and failure to obtain a registration certificate.

As part of her sentencing, Lawson could not have any criminal violations or violate the terms of the following conditions for the next 24 months, or she would risk reinstatement of jail time.

She would not be able to breed, board, kennel, train, pet-sit, shelter, rescue, buy, sell, adopt, foster, raise or keep animals for agricultural purposes, dairy, recreation, or food, except fowl for eggs. She could not promote herself as someone who does any of those things.

Lawson is not allowed to own or control more than 12 vertebrate animals at any one time, regardless of whether they are on her property or not. Probation or law enforcement will be able to inspect Lawson’s property at any time to determine compliance.