A Eureka man is accused of animal cruelty and neglect following an investigation by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.

Ilya Petrovich Kovalenko, 41, faces dozens of counts of failing to properly feed, house and care for more than three dozen dogs, including one canine who died following the alleged neglect, in Lincoln County District Court.

Kovalenko is charged with 36 felony counts and one misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals for mistreatment and neglect by confining the animals in a cruel manner. He also is charged with 34 felony counts of animal cruelty for failing to provide food and water of sufficient quantity and quality to sustain the animals' health.

In addition, Kovalenko is accused of 35 more counts of animal cruelty for failing to provide 35 animals with licensed veterinary or other appropriate medical care in cases of immediate, obvious, serious illness or injury.

County animal control officer Andrew Smith launched the investigation after someone reported possible animal neglect on June 27.

After looking into the claim, the Sheriff’s Office got a search warrant for the property. County officials, with help from the Eureka Police Department and U.S. Border Patrol, executed the warrant on July 17.

Authorities seized 40 dogs, consisting of Pomeranians, huskies and mixed breeds. Also, seized were two ponies, two chickens, two rabbits, one goat and four cats.

All the animals seized were taken into custody of Lincoln County and were evaluated and treated by a veterinarian.

The animals were surrendered July 18 by the owner and are in the process of being re-homed.

Shelter officials said in a July 19 Facebook post that the livestock animals were relocated to a property where they are receiving excellent care. Also, 13 dogs were transferred to the Tobacco Valley Animal Shelter.

County animal shelter manager Tammy Brown told The Western News that the cats are in foster care, but still available for adoption.

After the animal seizure, the physical conditions of all of the animals were documented in a separate report that was created using the information provided by veterinarian Dr. Sonnicant Gilbert.

The dead dog was collected and examined by Gilbert. Due to decomposition, the cause of death remains unknown.

Smith said the dogs were the primary concern regarding the cruelty aspect of the investigation, based on the conditions in which they were housed and their overall health.

"With the exception of four of the 40 dogs, the remaining dogs were all kenneled together in enclosures that did not have adequate space for the number of dogs in each enclosure. Multiple dogs were placed in kennels with access to only one or two areas to receive minimum shelter from the elements. Of the four remaining dogs, two were free roaming, one was cabled up outside of a kennel and one was contained within what appeared to be an old animal control vehicle that was made of metal."

According to the investigators, one male husky suffered suspected heat stroke and a broken tooth. A female husky was euthanized due to prolonged neglect, which resulted in severe emaciation and muscle wasting.

Another male husky had severe, life-threatening emaciation, visible bone structures and significant loss of muscle mass from a lack of food and water. It required immediate emergency veterinary triage and nutritional intervention.

Two male mixed breed dogs also had similar medical problems, also requiring immediate emergency veterinary triage and nutritional intervention.

Convictions on all counts could lead to 210 years in the Montana State Prison and $262,500 in fines.

The Facebook page for the Lincoln County Animal Shelter has shared a slideshow of the some of the newest dogs available for adoption or foster care. It also said those willing to donate dog food should make it Purina Pro Plan.

For more information or to ask about fostering or adopting, call 406-293-5665 or send an email to [email protected]. 

The shelter’s operating hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.