Siletz Woman Arrested For Filing A False Report

On March 26, 2025, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) arrested 63-year-old Nickie Young from Siletz, Oregon, following a report she made about finding two dogs abandoned near milepost 30 on Siletz Highway. Initially, she claimed to have discovered the dogs left alone, which prompted a response from the authorities.

However, upon further investigation, it was revealed by Animal Services Deputies that Nickie was, in fact, the owner of the dogs. She had reported them as abandoned because she no longer wished to keep them. This act led to serious consequences for Young, as LCSO determined that her report was intentionally misleading. Consequently, the dogs were taken into protective custody by the sheriff's office and subsequently transferred to a partner facility located out of the county, where they would be made available for adoption to loving homes.

As a result of her actions, Ms. Young is facing charges that include initiating a false report, categorized as an A-misdemeanor, along with abandoning an animal, which is classified as a B-misdemeanor. These charges highlight the legal responsibilities pet owners have toward their animals and the consequences of neglecting those duties.

The LCSO Animal Services Division plays a crucial role in enforcing laws related to animal welfare, including cases of abuse and neglect, as well as addressing violations related to animal care. With shelters across the nation experiencing a surge in cases of animal abandonment, the importance of responsible pet ownership and the need for community resources become ever more evident.

The LCSO emphasizes that if anyone is struggling to provide adequate care for their pets — whether due to financial difficulty, health issues, or other challenges — they should seek assistance from local non-profit animal rescue organizations and animal adoption centers. Moreover, for those facing challenges in obtaining necessary medical care or food for their animals, reaching out to local animal shelters for support and resources is strongly encouraged.

Individuals with any animal-related complaints or concerns are urged to contact the LCSO Dispatch at 541-265-0777 so that appropriate actions can be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of animals in the community.On March 26, 2025, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) arrested 63-year-old Nickie Young of Siletz, OR after she reported finding two dogs abandoned near milepost 30 of Siletz Highway. Through investigation, Animal Services Deputies determined that Nickie was the owner of both dogs and had reported finding them abandoned because she no longer wanted them. LCSO took protective custody of the dogs and transferred them to an out-of-county partner facility for adoption. Ms. Young is charged with initiating a false report, an A-misdemeanor, and abandoning an animal, a B-misdemeanor. 

The LCSO Animal Services Division provides Law Enforcement services in cases related to animal abuse and neglect, and for enforcement of animal-related violations. Animal Shelters across the nation are experiencing increased animal abandonment cases. If you cannot adequately care for your animal(s), please reach out to your local non-profit Animal Rescue and Animal Adoption Centers. If you are struggling to provide medical care or food for your animals, please contact your local Animal Shelter for guidance on resources available locally to assist. LCSO encourages anyone with animal-related complaints or concerns to contact Dispatch at 541-265-0777.