Poulsbo House Fire Kills Over 40 Animals

A neighbor's 911 call around 2:30 a.m. dispatched Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue to the blaze in the 1400 block of NE Paulson Road. Firefighters entered the home fearing people were inside, as the homeowner was not on the scene when they arrived. Crews discovered dozens of animal crates lining the hallways of the residence. The homeowner, who arrived after firefighters were on scene, identified himself as a dog breeder. The sheer number of animal casualties is something veteran fire officials have described as unlike anything they have seen in their careers. While firefighters managed to rescue three dogs from the blaze, and a fourth was found later during the investigation, the vast majority of the animals perished. The primary cause of death for the more than 50 dogs and cats is believed to be smoke inhalation. The house, located in a wooded area, is considered a total loss, with the roof having collapsed, rendering it too dangerous for investigators to reenter immediately. The fire was so intense it had the potential to spread to nearby trees and neighboring homes. The homeowner did not possess the necessary licenses for the number of animals on the property. In the city of Poulsbo, a single-family home is restricted to a total of five cats or dogs without a special "pet enthusiast" or "hobbyist" license, which the owner reportedly did not have on file with Kitsap County Animal Control. An investigation involving the Kitsap County Fire Marshal and Kitsap Animal Control is now underway. The probe will not only determine the cause of the fire but will also examine whether neglect or animal abuse were contributing factors, which could lead to criminal charges. The surviving dogs have been returned to the owner.