Animal Neglect
- 08/20/25
On August 18th, 2025, at approximately 1:50 PM, an officer with the Roseburg Police Department, along with an animal control deputy from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, responded to a report of two large dogs fighting a puppy in the backyard of a residence in the 1400 block of SE Stephens. The investigation led to the identification of the owner, Edward Andrew Whitely (66), and the discovery of a large illegal dog breeding operation. During the initial incident, Whitely was arrested on Animal Neglect charges, and the injured dog was transported to Saving Grace where it received further care.
On August 19th, 2025, at about noon, a search warrant was served on Whitely's residence. During the execution of the warrant, the remaining 16 dogs were seized and removed from the residence with the assistance of Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Winston Police Department, and members of Saving Grace. In addition to the removal of the animals, firearms, ammunition, and other evidence of animal neglect was seized pursuant to the warrant.
Whitely was charged with Animal Neglect II x17, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm x2, Felon in Possession of Body Armor, as well as being issued citations for multiple city ordinance violations related to the operation.
The Roseburg Police Department would like to thank our community partners, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Winston Police, and Saving Grace for their assistance in this case and the recovery of animals for their safety.
Animal Neglect
- 08/20/25
On August 18th, 2025, at approximately 1:50 PM, an officer with the Roseburg Police Department, along with an animal control deputy from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, responded to a report of two large dogs fighting a puppy in the backyard of a residence in the 1400 block of SE Stephens. The investigation led to the identification of the owner, Edward Andrew Whitely (66), and the discovery of a large illegal dog breeding operation. During the initial incident, Whitely was arrested on Animal Neglect charges, and the injured dog was transported to Saving Grace where it received further care.
On August 19th, 2025, at about noon, a search warrant was served on Whitely's residence. During the execution of the warrant, the remaining 16 dogs were seized and removed from the residence with the assistance of Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Winston Police Department, and members of Saving Grace. In addition to the removal of the animals, firearms, ammunition, and other evidence of animal neglect was seized pursuant to the warrant.
Whitely was charged with Animal Neglect II x17, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm x2, Felon in Possession of Body Armor, as well as being issued citations for multiple city ordinance violations related to the operation.
The Roseburg Police Department would like to thank our community partners, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Winston Police, and Saving Grace for their assistance in this case and the recovery of animals for their safety.
Traffic Enforcement Patrols
- 08/15/25
For the remaining days in August through the end of September the Roseburg Police Department will have some extra patrols out working traffic enforcement, with a specific focus on safety belt use, distracted driving, speeding and driving under the influence. These focused patrols are made available due to grants received from Oregon Impact and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Seat belts have been proven to be one of the best ways to save your life in a crash. Yet many still don’t buckle up. Worse still, not wearing a seat belt is a habit that will pass on to impressionable youth, who in turn will think it’s safe to not buckle up.
Distracted driving is one of the fastest growing safety issues on the roads today. Distracted drivers aren’t just a threat to themselves: they’re a danger to everyone else on the road. The national distracted driving effort focuses on ways to change the behavior of drivers through legislation, enforcement, public awareness, and education.
Be on the lookout for specific enforcement campaigns over the next two months.
Traffic Enforcement Patrols
- 08/15/25
For the remaining days in August through the end of September the Roseburg Police Department will have some extra patrols out working traffic enforcement, with a specific focus on safety belt use, distracted driving, speeding and driving under the influence. These focused patrols are made available due to grants received from Oregon Impact and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Seat belts have been proven to be one of the best ways to save your life in a crash. Yet many still don’t buckle up. Worse still, not wearing a seat belt is a habit that will pass on to impressionable youth, who in turn will think it’s safe to not buckle up.
Distracted driving is one of the fastest growing safety issues on the roads today. Distracted drivers aren’t just a threat to themselves: they’re a danger to everyone else on the road. The national distracted driving effort focuses on ways to change the behavior of drivers through legislation, enforcement, public awareness, and education.
Be on the lookout for specific enforcement campaigns over the next two months.