A Coram woman accused of animal cruelty earlier this year received a deferred prosecution agreement in Flathead County District Court in late July.

Candy Jean Evans, 55, was arrested for felony aggravated animal cruelty in March after 27 dogs — and one dead puppy — were seized from allegedly unsanitary conditions on her property. She pleaded not guilty before Judge Paul Sullivan on April 3.  

In late July, prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss the case based on a deferred prosecution agreement they reached with Evans. A deferred prosecution agreement is a contract between the state and the defendant where charges are put on hold for a period to allow the defendant to satisfy certain conditions. 

While the agreement was not filed in district court, Flathead County Attorney Travis Ahner said it ensures that any animals owned by Evans are given a safe home and adequately cared for. It also allows authorities to visit Evans and her home to ensure she’s following the conditions of the agreement, he said.   

“When we see animal cruelty cases, the vast majority of them are rarely for things like dog fighting or the beating of animals,” Ahner said. “... It tends to be a hoarding type of case, where someone with a big heart suddenly has 70 cats and they’re overwhelmed.” 

Ahner said a typical deferred prosecution agreement spans one to three years.  

Evans first met with law enforcement on Aug. 12, 2024 when animal control officers with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office responded to a complaint alleging people were shooting at dogs, according to court documents. Evans told the officer that she and her sister, Lavina Evans, owned 23 dogs.  

She initially agreed with officers that the situation was “out of control,” court documents said. The sisters agreed to give up five puppies that tested positive for parvovirus on Aug. 17. All five were successfully treated.   

The pair initially agreed to relinquish more of their dogs but failed to follow through, according to court documents.  

Authorities returned to Evans’ Coram home on March 11 after receiving a vicious animal complaint, court documents said. When law enforcement officials arrived, they allegedly observed two malnourished dogs and two puppies that appeared lethargic with “distended bellies,” court documents said. 

Authorities ended up removing 27 dogs from the property on March 13.  

“The resolution of this and the handling of the case was really a joint effort with our office but also the [Flathead County Animal Shelter] and law enforcement," Ahner said. “It was sort of a collaborative effort that I was really thankful for.”   

Evans’ attorney, Liam Gallagher, declined to comment on the agreement.  

Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or [email protected].