POST FALLS — A 20-year-old Post Falls woman who reported finding abandoned puppies at Corbin Park in Post Falls last week has been cited for a false report.

Mariah F. Eutsler called the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office last Wednesday to report that she found a litter of eight puppies, possibly a Rottweiler mix breed, abandoned in a box at the park. 

Animal control officers investigated the report the past week.

"However, what they ultimately found was that Eutsler had fabricated the story of finding the puppies abandoned so animal control would take them," a KCSO press release states. "Eutsler admitted that she was trying to do a favor for a friend that is living out of his RV in Spokane. According to Eutsler, her friend has a few dogs and one of them birthed the litter of puppies and he could not care for all the dogs."

Eutsler first called Spokane County Animal Control about taking the puppies, but was told they don’t take owner-surrendered animals. She then went to the Kootenai Humane Society and said she had “found” some puppies in Post Falls and needed someone to take them, the press release states.

Eutsler was then told to call the KCSO since they were “found” in the county.

"Eventually, when Eutsler called the sheriff’s office, she lied about how she came into possession of the puppies because she was afraid she would be stuck with them if animal control didn’t take them," the press release states.

Eutsler citation for the false report is a misdemeanor. She was not arrested. KCSO Lt. Stu Miller said the owner of the puppies will not be charged because he did not do anything illegal.

The puppies are being fostered at a local animal rescue called Power of the Paw in Post Falls. 

Anyone interested in adopting the puppies or donating to their food and/or medical expenses can contact Power of the Paw at 771-5668, (509) 220-7058 or powerofthepawidaho@yahoo.com.

There are multiple options available to people who have unwanted pets or pets they can no longer care for. 

The KCSO works with rescues, shelters and individuals who can assist with finding new homes for animals that can no longer be cared for.