Flathead County begins adopting out 20 dogs seized from Coram property

Twenty of the dogs removed from allegedly unsanitary conditions in March are now in the care of Flathead County and became available for adoption last week.  

The surrendered dogs range from 3 months to 3 years old. Since coming to the Flathead County Animal Shelter, the dogs have improved in health.  

But challenges remain. 

“Adopting families will need to take into consideration these animals did come from a hoarding situation,” said Austin Hicks, who oversees the shelter, on Monday. “They will need to be more patient with their pups as they adjust to a new home.” 

Hicks said that shelter workers will be providing additional educational literature to anyone adopting one of the dogs. 

Candy Jean Evans, 55, was arrested March 13 and charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty after officials seized 27 dogs and an allegedly dead puppy from her property in Coram. One of those dogs later gave birth at the shelter.  

Of the 37 dogs at the county facility as of mid-April, 34 of them were linked to the investigation into Evans. 

Evans was for weeks unwilling to relinquish the dogs to the shelter, meaning that the shelter could not touch or adopt out the dogs.  

As part of the court proceedings, Hicks said, 20 of the dogs were successfully surrendered to the county by the owner last week. That allowed the shelter to begin the necessary veterinary work to get the animals ready for adoption. He expects the dogs to roll out on the shelter’s website over the next week.  

Hicks also said that the dogs involved in the case will be renamed after cities so that potential new owners can identify them on the shelter’s adoption webpage.   

There are 14 dogs still in the county’s care that workers are unable to get ready for adoption until and if Evans agrees to surrender them as well.  

Evans pleaded not guilty to the felony charge at her April 3 arraignment in Flathead County District Court. An omnibus hearing in the case is scheduled for Aug. 20 with a pretrial conference to follow on Sept. 17.  

If convicted, Evans faces up to two years with the state Department of Corrections and a fine of $2,500.   

To see a list of adoptable animals at the Flathead County Animal Shelter, visit flatheadcounty.gov/department-directory/animal/adoptions. Viewing of adoptable dogs is currently available by appointment only and can be scheduled by calling 406-752-1310.  

Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or kheston@dailyinterlake.com.

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