Tillamook OR—On Friday, June 7, 2002, at 10:30 am, In Defense of Animals volunteers and staff stepped in to rescue more than 420 animals from the Ark Animal Sanctuary in Tillamook, Oregon. Local police assisted with the intervention. The ""owner" of the so-called sanctuary, Eddie White has been arraigned with 10 counts of animal neglect. He was exposed when volunteer Peggy Kirk blew the whistle on him after witnessing ongoing cruelty.

In Defense of Animals staff member Laurie Lown, who witnessed conditions at Ark Animal Sanctuary on Wednesday, stated, "Sick and starving animals were everywhere amid unbelievable stench and filth. There were trashed vehicles all over the place filled with debris...rotting buses, trailers and cars that animals hid in and lived in. A camper shell half buried in the mud was where the pigs live. The horse barn was the most disgusting place I had ever been in. Animal waste and water were at times halfway up my calves. Burros whose hoofs were so bad that they could barely walk. Pregnant cats and cats with litters were at my feet."

Currently, many animals still need homes and In Defense of Animals needs volunteers to help with the rescue effort. The public can donate funds through:

US Bank; 408 Main Street; Tillamook, Oregon 97141; 503 842-3690; ABA Routing Number: 123000220; Account Number 153653551108; For the Benefit of Ark Animal Relief Fund (AARF).

A special animal rescue van was called in and lead the convoy of rescuers from Portland to Tillamook. In Defense of Animals will do everything in its power to ensure Eddie White is convicted and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.