Five German shepherds block Birley Road in Mossyrock in this image provided anonymously to The Chronicle. Residents in the neighborhood say they've been terrorized by the pack of dogs, numbering more than a dozen, owned by Jacob Hadaller, who is facing a slew of legal issues.
An unidentified officer stands near a kennel holding many of Jacob Hadaller's German shepherds in this image obtained by a Chronicle public records request. Hadaller's neighbors complained that the dogs frequently run loose and terrorize the neighborhood around Birley Road in Mossyrock.
Dogs surround a Sheriff deputies' vehicle in a property located off of Birley Road in Mossyrock. Residents in the neighborhood say they've been terrorized by a pack of dogs, numbering more than a dozen, owned by Jacob Hadaller, who is facing a slew of legal issues.
A Sheriff deputy holds a shield while talking to a tenant of the residence on Birley Road in Mossyrock. Residents in the neighborhood say they've been terrorized by a pack of dogs, numbering more than a dozen, owned by Jacob Hadaller, who is facing a slew of legal issues.
Dogs surround a Sheriff deputies' vehicle in a property located off of Birley Road in Mossyrock. Residents in the neighborhood say they've been terrorized by a pack of dogs, numbering more than a dozen, owned by Jacob Hadaller, who is facing a slew of legal issues.
Sheriff deputies are seen on Birley Road in Mossyrock. Residents in the neighborhood say they've been terrorized by a pack of dogs, numbering more than a dozen, owned by Jacob Hadaller, who is facing a slew of legal issues.
The pack of German shepherds that has allegedly terrorized a community near Mossyrock will be removed from their owner, a judge ruled Friday, and Lewis County is lining up the resources necessary to round up and care for the dozen or more dogs.
Last month, the county prosecutor’s office filed a complaint alleging Jacob Hadaller’s dogs were a public nuisance and pushing for a temporary restraining order to expedite the issue. Residents who live near Hadaller’s Birley Road address have complained of aggressive behavior, killing of animals, attacks on livestock and loud barking at all hours.
Superior Court Judge Andrew Toynbee moved quickly Friday to grant the request, following a brief consultation with civil deputy prosecutor Cullen Gatten. Neither Hadaller nor his lawyer made an appearance.
“Lewis County is authorized to abate the nuisance by removing and having the Lewis County Animal Shelter’s designee impound the dogs, treat them for any veterinary needs and adopt them out to responsible owners,” Gatten said following the hearing.
County officials have been working to come up with a plan to remove the dogs from the property. The pack was last numbered at 16, and the county may need outside support to safely collect, transport, care for and shelter the dogs.
“Because we want to make sure that we’re looking at doing this safely and humanely, we’re not going to release our plan,” said Lewis County Code Enforcement Supervisor Bill Teitzel. “It is going to be addressed soon.”
Gatten said the county believes the dogs’ aggressive behavior is due to a pack mentality, and that once separated they will be safe to adopt out. Potential new owners will be informed of their past.
“They’re not bad dogs,” he said. “They’re just in this weird environment.”
Hadaller, the dogs’ owner, is a convicted felon who was arrested this summer on charges of dealing heroin, before being released on bail. His neighbors say he has threatened them with violence, and his dogs have menaced the area for years.
“I’ve been going through hell for a long time,” said Kat Carroll, who owns the Adytum Sanctuary, a bed and breakfast situated above the hill from Hadaller’s property. “The entire hill has been held hostage by this man.”
The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office has received at least 33 complaints about the dogs over the past two years, issuing more than a dozen citations. Officers have used batons and pepper spray at times when they’ve felt threatened by the dogs.
Reports show the pack has killed chickens, chased livestock and injured other dogs. One neighbor, speaking anonymously for fear of retribution, said the dogs blocked the road while she was out for a walk, and would not let her by until a Good Samaritan in a car chased them off. Others have complained of all-night barking.
“You can’t even walk out into the field,” neighbor Norma Sims told county commissioners in August.
Gatten said he’s hopeful Friday’s ruling will resolve the situation.
“I think this is good for Mossyrock and that community to give them some relief,” he said.
