Accused Husky Abuser Talks

Frank Rich shares his side of the story

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By Kirsten Swann

Story Created: Dec 10, 2011 at 2:17 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Dec 10, 2011 at 7:19 PM AKDT

Faced with 50 counts of animal cruelty, Frank Rich said hindsight is 20-20.

"Life was different when I had just one dog," said the 54-year-old Willow man, surveying the dozens of abandoned dog houses dotting his property. "It's really easy to have a one-on-one relationship when you have just one dog, and it's really hard to try to do that when you have a lot of dogs."

Nearly a year ago, Rich spent several days in jail after animal control officials recovered 157 emaciated dogs and the bodies of 22 more from his Kashwitna Road kennel.

Last week, he changed his plea to not guilty, and on Saturday said remorse is a more accurate descriptor of his feelings.

"Given the chance, would I do it all over again?" He asked, seemingly lost in thought. "Not starting now."

Prosecutors are offering a plea deal including a minimum 4-month jail sentence and mandatory 10-year probation, and Rich said he will make a decision on the deal by next week.

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outraged said on Saturday, Dec 10 at 11:16 PM

I think the court should talk to the people who rescued these dogs and have worked with them for a year. I'll support the 4 mos. jail sentence, IF he spends it chained outside to a dog house with no food or water.

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outraged2 said on Sunday, Dec 11 at 1:00 AM

This man does not sound 'all there' and should not be allowed to own animals. Period.

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ZEEMADMAN said on Sunday, Dec 11 at 3:56 AM

The Dogs got Life, & Death. So He only gets 120 Days. Is that Fair? Is that Justice? Not to mention that they didn't just get Shot. They had to Die of Starvation & Thirst. I'd take a Bullet before that! This Guy needs to be screened by A.P.I. for at least 90 Days. That probably should be done before the 4 months in Prison. What's wrong with the Court here. Can't they see He's got a bigger problem going on. Denial is just the start of it. A Total Lack of Empathy. On the Road to becoming a Sociopath. You heard it here first Folks. Be it a Month, a Year, or a Decade. But it is a Prediction. It will be People Chained up somewhere with No Food, & No Water, Waiting to Die. You've heard the expression, "I wouldn't treat a Dog like that!" Well He would, & He did. This is that Golden Opportunity to do something now, before it gets that far! So how are You going to act here Alaska Justice System. Like Smart People, or Dullards?

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RUKIDDINME said on Sunday, Dec 11 at 12:50 PM

Mandatory jail, mandatory psych. evaluation. Forbidden to own any animals. please !

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juneau said on Sunday, Dec 11 at 2:01 PM

What kind of a crime does it take for someone to have to do time anymore? He should get 4 years per dog. Those animals depended on him for food, water, shelter, and care. He failed on all counts. He should have to spend his life chained outside without food, water, heat in winter, like the dogs did.

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icky said on Sunday, Dec 11 at 10:38 PM

I rescued sled dogs that were abandoned in our neighborhood. Apparently their racing life was over, so why keep them? This guy doesn't sound too broken up about all this. He's obviously not a real dog lover.

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suncatcher said on Monday, Dec 12 at 1:41 AM

let's see at the beginning of report in a run on sentence it sounded like "he changed his plea because ....... he really loves his dogs? and this for sure; he didn't get nailed (and SOME dogs saved) because of neighbors reports, it was a whistleblower that bought a pup from him and was suspicious. can we please do correct reporting? I won't even comment on the issue of the poor dogs, except to say how Rich babbles on about how life was 'good" for him with the RELATIONSHIP of one dog! yeah, love;play, affection are important to mans BEST FRIEND, but Hey Frank You were NOT even close to meeting their BASIC NEEDS! don't like the word cruelty? STARVATION, FREEZING AND DEHYDRATION are PAINFUL ! I have plenty more I could say on this matter, but my blood boils so bad, I can not go there. I agree with all the previous posters tho. AND YOUR MIGHTY RIGHT THE COURT BEST BE JUST HERE.

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judith said on Monday, Dec 12 at 11:48 AM

How any one can abuse any animal is beyond me there are places he could have turned to for help or placement of his dogs there is no excuse he could have have them dogs placed with friends of pets or some where like that,its terrible what here did.

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JUSTICE said on Tuesday, Dec 13 at 10:12 AM

Give him the same treatment. Cut him up and feed him to the dogs! He is SORRY? Not at all, just wants a lighter sentence.Another piece of gutter trash, trying to weasel out of paying for his horrible crimes.He should not even be allowed to own a "GOLD FISH".RAIL ROAD HIM OUT OF aLASKA.

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