A video posted on a local anti-crime group public Facebook page claims to show a Tehama County Regulation Officer baiting some dogs out of their yard in order to seize them, but the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office has responded to the post with an explanation. On October 14th a deputy on patrol in Cottonwood was driving down McCoy Road and reportedly saw 3 dogs in the roadway. One of them appeared to be sick or wounded and the deputy could not find the owner. He herded the dogs into the nearby yard, though they easily could escape, and called Animal Control. When the Animal Regulation Officer arrived and found 4 dogs in the yard, a neighbor approached and said the dogs had been unattended for about 2 weeks and had been going to the neighbor’s begging for food. The officer saw that the sick dog needed attention and offered it a treat, then placed it in her truck. While doing so the other dogs got out and she took them too. The sick dog was taken to a vet with sores, lesions, various infections and other issues. Animal Shelter staff recognized the dogs from previous contacts as belonging to Heidi Erickson. When she was contacted Erickson said she couldn’t afford to pay for the sick dog’s treatment so she surrendered that one. Several days ago Erickson posted the video, which prompted some threats of harm against the Animal Regulation Officer. On Sunday Erickson had a conversation with a Tehama County Sheriff’s Sergeant during which she allegedly asked for a sum of money to prevent her from going to the news media with the story. The investigation is continuing. Erickson has not filed a complaint against the Sheriff’s Office.