More animals found in Ferndale-area abuse case

PETER JENSEN - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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FERNDALE -- More abused animals have been discovered in a home on the 7000 block of Tall Cedars Lane near Ferndale.

On Nov. 15, nine cats - most of them dirty and flea-infested - were found living in a large bird cage inside the home, said Penny Cistaro, the executive director of the Whatcom Humane Society.

Since Oct. 9, more than 50 abused animals - including dogs, cats, ducks, chickens and other birds - have been found on the property or at a nearby location.

The residents, Maria Huffman, her husband, Michael Wopat, and her son, Richard Huffman, have been charged with multiple felony counts of animal abuse in Whatcom County Superior Court. They are scheduled to enter a plea Friday, Nov. 21.

Cistaro said eight of the cats are now staying with the Humane Society. Investigators are still looking for the ninth cat and have set a humane trap to try to catch it.

"(The cats are) really scared," Cistaro said. "In the big scheme of things ... they're OK. They need good nutrition and care and they'll be fine."

The Huffmans and Wopat were arrested Oct. 27 and released from Whatcom County Jail the next day. As part of their release, they were ordered not to possess any pets.

The next day, two dog kennels containing four dogs were found in a barn Maria Huffman and Wopat were renting on the 5600 block of Guide Meridian Road, according to charging documents filed in Superior Court.

Their landlord ordered them removed, and a neighbor saw Wopat on the property late at night Oct. 29, according to charging documents. Two days later, the neighbor found the four dogs with their throats slashed.

Three died and one puppy survived. After the dead dogs were found, the Huffmans and Wopat were arrested again on Nov. 13 and booked into jail. They've been charged with as many as six felony counts of animal abuse and remained in jail Thursday, Nov. 20.

While they were in jail, someone came by to feed their goldfish and found the nine cats, Cistaro said.

Cistaro said the four dogs and nine cats may have been hidden from investigators during the initial seizure Oct. 9.

"It's just a tragic situation," said Laura Clark, the community outreach coordinator for the Humane Society.

ADOPTION INFO

Because many of the seized animals are part of an ongoing court case, they are not yet available for adoption. If you would like to inquire about adopting one as a pet, contact the Whatcom Humane Society at 733-4746.