Sign: 25 Sled Dogs Starved to Death at Kennel Following Months of Complaints

Published: April 26, 2026 at 02:54 PM Author: Animal Welfare Investigative Writer & Petition Author

Willow, Alaska – Last week, a heartbreaking discovery was made on property in the Caswell Lakes area of the Mat-Su region of Alaska. More than two dozen sled dogs were found dead at a dog-sledding kennel known as Walker’s Wild Ride…property that was the subject of repeated warnings to the local animal control agency.

Authorities say the husky mixes likely starved after being abandoned without food, adequate shelter, or basic care. Concerned individuals, including local mushers and community members, say that serious neglect had been reported to Mat-Su Animal Control months before the dogs were discovered, but no meaningful action was taken, and 25 dogs died as a result.

Now, 35-year-old Misty Rehder has been arrested and charged with 26 counts of animal cruelty.

But the tragedy does not end with one arrest. Multiple sources indicate that this suffering was known and ongoing. It is alleged that animal control officials claimed the situation was being taken care of, but clearly it was not.

One individual claims she attempted to bring food and straw to the dogs, only to be turned away by an animal control officer. If true, it begs the question, why did animal control officials fail to take meaningful action?

Many of the dogs were found chained to plastic barrels or crude wooden structures, with no insulation and no way to break free. The abandoned dogs had no way to escape their slow and painful demise.

Make no mistake, these dogs suffered. Death by starvation is excruciating. Worse yet, their situation was known, but they were still allowed to die a slow and agonizing death.

Decision Makers

• Matanuska-Susitna Borough District Attorney’s Office
• Borough Manager, Mike Brown
• Borough Mayor Edna Devries
• Mat-Su Animal Care and Regulation

If you are outraged by what these dogs endured, and by the fact that their suffering was reportedly known but not stopped, please add your name to this petition today. These dogs were not invisible. People spoke up. Warnings were given. There were opportunities to intervene.

Your signature is a demand for accountability. More than from just the person facing 26 counts of animal cruelty, but also for the system that failed to act when it mattered most. 

Why This Petition Matters

Misty Rehder must be held fully accountable for the prolonged suffering and deaths of these dogs. This was preventable cruelty, and the consequences must reflect that. But accountability cannot stop there. Reports of neglect were made well before these dogs died. If those warnings were ignored, then a serious failure occurred within the system meant to protect them. Animal Victory and its supporters demand a full, transparent review of how this case was handled, and a demand for any necessary changes to ensure this never happens again.

These dogs should not have died, and someone must answer for that.

Beyond holding Misty Rehder fully accountable, petitioners are demanding answers from Matanuska-Susitna Animal Care and Regulation regarding repeated warnings about conditions at the kennel. According to local mushers and Good Samaritans, concerns about the dogs’ welfare were raised for months before 25 sled dogs were ultimately found dead. Petitioners are calling for a full review of how these warnings were handled, whether proper procedures were followed, and what changes must be implemented to help prevent another tragedy like this from happening again.

Alaska Animal Welfare Protection Laws 2025

Note: Rehder was arrested and appeared in court virtually for her alleged 26 counts of Class C felony level- animal cruelty, with each charge carrying a maximum of 5 years in prison and $50,000 fine. Her bail is set at $25,000. May 4 is her next scheduled court date; to decide a third-party custodian, she also has eviction court set on the 5th.
Alaska Statute 11.61.140(a)(1), which covers knowingly inflicting “severe or prolonged physical pain or suffering” on an animal is the specifically listed complaint filed and supported by the Alaskan State Troopers affidavit.

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Based on reports from authorities, details may change. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Images may be illustrative.

CASE UPDATES

Update: Pre-trial conference scheduled for 07/31/2026 at 8:30 a.m. Courtroom 8, Palmer Courthouse before Judge Thomas V. Jamgochian. Trial week scheduled for 08/10/2026.

Update 5/08/2026: The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Animal Shelter is still under active internal investigation.  No one from the shelter has been charged or arrested as of yet. Pre-trial conference for Defendant Misty Springs Rehder, Case #: 3PA-26-00648CR has been scheduled for 05/15/2026 at 8:30 a.m. in Courtroom 8, Palmer Courthouse before Judge Thomas V, Jamgochian. Scheduled trial week for 06/01/2026 at 8:30 am. Alaska Standard Time before Judge Thomas V, Jamgochian. Location: Courtroom 8, Palmer Courthouse.

Update 5/1/2026: Defendant Misty Springs Rehder has been charged with 26 counts of Cruelty to Animals – Inflict Severe Pain, a Class C Felony, under Case #3PA-26-00648CR.

Arraignment took place on April 22, 2026, at the Palmer District Criminal Court in Palmer, Alaska. The next hearing is scheduled for May 4, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.

Misty Rehder is currently being held at Hiland Mountain Correctional Center in Eagle River, Alaska, the state’s only correctional facility dedicated specifically to housing women, including both pretrial and sentenced inmates.

At this time, there are two separate investigations connected to this horrific case involving the starvation and neglect of 26 dogs.

One investigation involves the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Animal Shelter, which also serves as the area’s Animal Control Unit. Numerous complaints regarding the condition and starvation of these dogs were reportedly submitted to this agency prior to the animals’ deaths. Serious concerns remain regarding the agency’s apparent failure to intervene despite repeated warnings.

A second investigation is being conducted by the Alaska State Troopers.

We are continuing to seek confirmation regarding what actions, if any, may be taken concerning the alleged failure to respond appropriately to complaints made about the suffering dogs.

Animal Victory will continue monitoring this case closely and pushing for full accountability for every entity involved.