A Sallisaw couple was arrested last month after deputies reportedly discovered multiple neglected dogs and a goat living in filthy conditions inside a small camper with little to no food or water.
According to an affidavit filed by Sequoyah County Sheriff ’s Office, deputies first became involved on Christmas Day after a concerned witness reported several emaciated dogs roaming their property in the Eastlake Hills area near Vian.
Deputy Justin Deuley was dispatched to the area around 5:20 p.m. on Dec. 25, 2025, where he met with the reporting party, who stated that three dogs had been staying at their home for about a week.
The reporting party had been feeding the animals but could no longer afford to do so. They went on to say that the owners would not come retrieve the animals and that the dogs appeared badly neglected.
Deputy Justin Deuley observed one of the dogs on the property and noted in his report that the animal appeared severely underweight with “bones sticking out of the dog’s skin.”
The deputy attempted to contact the animals’ owners at a nearby camper but found no one home. He reported hearing numerous dogs barking inside the camper but saw no vehicles, food or water outside, according to the affidavit.
A license plate on the camper was then traced to a Sallisaw man, giving investigators an initial lead.
Deputies returned to the property several days later after receiving a written statement from the reporting party, stating that the dogs often fought, appeared afraid of people and might have been abused. The witness also reported that a goat was being kept inside the camper.
Despite repeated attempts to make contact with anyone at the residence, deputies reported they continued to find no visible food or water for the animals.
On Jan. 2, Deuley and Deputy Tyler Engleman returned and discovered a truck parked at the location registered to Kavin Kuhn, 31, of Sallisaw.
Deputies said they could smell a very foul odor coming from the camper and again saw no signs of food or water outside. Deuley later contacted Kuhn by phone and arranged to meet with him the following day.
When deputies arrived on Jan. 3, they found a single food bowl and water bowl outside the camper. Deuley stated he believed the items had only recently been placed there because Kuhn knew deputies were coming.
Kuhn reportedly told deputies he owned nine dogs and a goat, and that the animals were being kept inside the camper while he and his spouse prepared to move into a tiny home.
When asked for permission to inspect the camper, Kuhn refused, at which point he was placed under arrest.
During the investigation, deputies also spoke with Kuhn’s wife, Karla Kuhn, and another woman.
After being read her Miranda rights, the other woman admitted she had lied about caring for the animals, allegedly at a family member’s request.
Karla Kuhn eventually allowed deputies inside the camper, where they described deplorable living conditions. Investigators reported finding dog feces throughout the floor and countertops, a strong foul odor, and multiple dogs confined to one side of the camper. The goat was found shut inside the bathroom.
Deputies noted that a large bag of dog food appeared to have been recently placed inside the camper, as it showed no signs of wear or contamination despite the surrounding filth.
Kuhn was taken into custody and transported to the Sequoyah County Jail on suspicion of animal cruelty. He was formally charged on Jan. 14 and received a $3,000 bond. He pled not guilty and is now scheduled for a March 4 felony disposition docket.
Investigators also filed a warrant for the arrest of Karla Kuhn in connection with the case. She was charged on Jan. 20, received a $5,000 bond and is set for a March 11 docket.
The affidavit did not indicate the current condition of the animals or where they were taken following the arrest.
