Animal Abuse Allegations on Ringing Rocks Road

Allegations of animal abuse, a puppy mill, and more have been made by Todd Preece against Michael and Roberta Coffey, who own property at 178 Ringing Rocks Road. The 100-acre property abuts Preece’s.

Preece feels that the animals on the Coffey property are mistreated, malnourished and that the couple is “thumbing their nose” at the police. As of June 10, when Coffey moved the majority of their animals to the lower 12 acres next to Preece’s, Preece has made numerous complaints to authorities for barking dogs and mistreatment. Jefferson County does have a 10 PM noise ordinance, even in rural outside-of-town limits areas, though no citations have been made to the Coffeys.

“These animals are in distress, there is no cover for them, no shelter, no shade provided,” Preece said, adding that he believes there also isn’t enough food to go around. “There are weeds growing through their kennels.”

Besides the barking at all hours, the mistreatment, and poor conditions, Preece said that the smell of the property is nearly unbearable.

“It smells like dead bodies,” Preece said. “They probably moved the animals to get away from the stink.”

Roberta Coffey spoke with the Ledger and sees this as circumstances that have snowballed out of her control. Coffey said she is working on a legal easement to garner access for her animals to the remainder of her 100-acre property, as well as add water and septic services to the land, which is why she moved to the lower 12 acres on June 10. She added that the dogs do have shade, water, and shelter and that she spends upwards of $300 per week on pet food.

Coffey also states that many of the photos Preece has posted on Facebook about the situation are from years past, showing animals who perished due to deep freezes, as well as animals that were dropped off at her property already emaciated and could not be saved. Coffey currently has 21 adult dogs and five puppies on the property, as well as several horses and pigs.

While Coffey does own Coffey Valley K9, a breeding business, she added that only three litters have been born in the last six months, as her breeding calendar has been off.

“That hardly makes this a puppy mill,” Coffey said.

In an interview with KXLF, Sheriff Tom Grimsrud stated “You know, sometimes people get in over their head a little bit with how many animals they end up having and what they’re able to take care of, so, you know, we’ll be looking at that also.” Grimsrud also told the Ledger that no charges had been filed yet and a further investigation was pending.

Jefferson County Commissioner Dan Hagerty told the Ledger that he had done some research on the situation and knows that the County Santirian is aware of the circumstances. Coffey also noted that a veterinarian had been brought in to examine her animals and no issues had been mentioned to her.

It is expected that at the Tuesday, July 11 Jefferson County Commissioners meeting, which is held in Whitehall this week, this topic will be discussed. As this meeting is after the Ledger’s print deadline, the Ledger will continue this story in next week’s paper, with the Commissioner meeting discussion included. Both Preece and Coffey are slated to attend.