Mushers Report Long-Standing Neglect at Willow Kennel Before Deadly Discovery

In the Caswell Lakes area north of Willow, Alaska, a troubling pattern of reported animal neglect at a local sled dog kennel preceded the grim discovery of 25 deceased dogs last week, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.

Mushers and residents in the Susitna Valley communities of Willow and Talkeetna stated they had raised concerns about the kennel’s conditions for months prior to the incident. These reports described ongoing issues with animal care that ultimately led to the tragic outcome.

The discovery was made by resident Michael Dolinar during a property visit on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Dolinar documented the scene with video, which showed the dog lot where the animals were found. One additional dog was located alive but severely malnourished and transported to a local veterinary clinic for emergency care.

Following the discovery, Alaska State Troopers arrested 35-year-old Misty Rehder in connection with the incident. She faces 26 counts of cruelty to animals under Alaska state law. Each charge could potentially be classified as a Class C felony, carrying penalties of significant fines and up to five years of imprisonment per count.

Legal proceedings are underway, with Rehder held at the Mat-Su Pretrial facility. Concurrently, her landlord filed an eviction action over the weekend, citing non-payment of rent as grounds for removal from the Caswell Lakes property.

In response to the incident, officials from the Matanuska-Susitna Borough announced they are conducting an internal review of the events. Borough Manager Mike Brown is preparing to address the case publicly during an upcoming Assembly meeting. Spokesperson Stefan Hinman confirmed that plans are likewise underway to commission a third-party evaluation to identify any procedural shortcomings that may have contributed to the failure to intervene earlier despite reported concerns.

The Susitna Valley region remains a hub for both professional and recreational mushing activities, making the kennel’s location particularly significant within the local dog sledding community.