Update as of 4/2/13 - It was a tremendous effort on the part of many to find places for over 190 Aluk Malamutes to land after they were all released. Many thanks to the Lewis and Clark Humane Society for caring for the dogs all these months. Thanks also to the AMAL rescue affiliates across the country who took in the majority of these special dogs.

Update as of 2/26/13 - From AMAL President, Bob Sutherland: Hey! Good news. AMAL has a transport out of Helena to back east scheduled for Thursday, 2/28. Then Malamute Village is closing. The remaining malamutes will be moved over to the Lewis and Clark Humane Society (LCHS) shelter. AMAL still will have a handful of malamutes in Helena which have affiliates to take them, LCHS will still have a dozen or dozen and a half mals left which they want to re-home. We have a great working relationship with them and can assist them if they want it. I suspect we'll be called on to help, but if not that's ok too.

We still have a bit of work in front of us re-homing the malamutes in foster care but this is great news to share.

I really want to thank folks stepping up and helping out. No contribution has gone un-noticed whether its support, financial contributions, transportation, fostering a dog or more.

Thanks again, we couldn't gotten this far without you.

Bob

Update as of 2/13/13 - The last of the Aluk Mals that have been released to rescue groups will be transported out by the end of February. Thanks to all the AMAL affiliates who stepped up to take these dogs and to the wonderful foster homes helping care for all the dogs. This couldn't have happened without this concerted effort and AMAL wants to thank you ALL!

Update as of 1/12/13 - Moonsong Malamute Rescue, WAMAL (WA AK Mal Adoption League) and Malamute Rescue of Alaska have taken over 15 Aluk Malamutes into foster care and plans are underway to transport many more to various Mal rescue affiliates nationwide. See the related news stories about the first releases.

Update as of 12/29/12 - Now that the dogs have been released, they will be getting spayed and neutered and plans are underway for where the Malamutes will all go.

Update as of 12/19/12 - Mike Chilinski was sentenced to 30 years in the custody of the Department of Corrections, with 25 years suspended, for more than 90 counts of animal cruelty related to a malamute breeding operation in Jefferson City. Chilinski, 52, will not be allowed to work with animals for the duration of the sentence. He also is awaiting sentencing on federal charges of growing marijuana. That sentencing, which carries a five-year mandatory minimum, is scheduled for April.

The Aluk Malamutes are now free to be placed in loving homes they so much deserve!

• Chilinski gets 30 years, 25 suspended, in malamute abuse, 12/19

Update as of 12/6/12 - The sentencing on the cruelty convictions is scheduled to happen 12/19/12. We anticiate the dogs will be released to rescue after that!

Update as of 11/6/12 - Mike Chilinski plead guilty to the drug charges. We are still waiting to hear the sentencing for the animal cruelty convictions and for when the dogs will be released to rescue.

• After rambling discussion, Chilinski pleads guilty to growing marijuana, 11/5

Update as of 10/29/12 - Mike Chilinski will plead guilty to the drug charges. We are waiting for the sentencing to happen with the animal cruelty convictions and for when the dogs will be released to rescue!

• Dog abuser to plead guilty to manufacturing pot, 10/28

Update as of 10/18/12 - The jury came back with guilty verdicts on all 91 counts of felony animal cruetly! See below for the latest news stories.

• Chilinski guilty on 91 counts of animal cruelty, 10/18
• Chilinksi found guilty on animal abuse charges, 10/18

Update as of 10/17/12 - The prosecution has called all their witnesses and has rested their case. The defense is now calling willnesses. See below for the latest news stories.

• Dog breeder defends kennel operation, 10/17
• Defense calls first witness on day 3 of Chilinski trial, 10/17
• Some video from the court room, 10/17
• Chilinksi animal abuse trial continues, 10/17
• Jury hears about poor condition of malamutes in Boulder trial, 10/17

Update as of 10/16/12 - The jury has been picked and the trial began Monday, 10/15. The Helena Independent Record is covering the trial and providing updates here.

Update as of 9/22/12 - Mike Chilinski's trial for 92 felony counts of animal cruelty is still scheduled for October 15, 2012. The motion hearing for the drug charges is scheduled for October 10th and the trial for the drug charges is scheduled for November 5th.

Update as of 8/20/12 - All the released dogs have now been transported out of Mal Village to foster homes. So far 6 of the 33 released dogs have already been adopted! Volunteers continue to work with the dogs as often as possible. You can email AMAL if you are interested in helping with transport, fostering or adopting any of the dogs once they are released. The email address is: montanamalamuteseizure@gmail.com

Update as of 8/7/12 - Nearly all of the 33 Aluk Mals that were released to rescue have been placed in foster homes and 5 have already been adopted! The released dogs are doing really well in foster and adoptive homes. Rescue volunteers continue to make monthly pilgrimages to Mal Village to help work with the dogs - walking, grooming, photographing and just giving them some one on one time outside. The dogs are loving all the attention and walks to a refreshing creek nearby.

Update as of 6/30/12 - 33 Aluk Mals have been released to rescue and there are only 5 dogs still looking for placement with rescue affiliates! Here is the latest news release:

Click HERE for the full story and earlier updates, etc.