Humane Society given custody of 173 seized animals: Owner will not appeal decision

By Andrew Snyder

The Humane Society of North Texas (HSNT) was awarded custody Monday of 173 animals recently seized in Denton County. The species involved include guinea pigs, cats, chickens, rabbits, goats, donkeys, doves, ducks, geese and an emu.

The animals were seized from their owner on Sunday, Nov. 11.

“Discovering many different species, especially in pairs like this, signals a suspected breeding situation,” said Shelly Meeks, lead investigator at the HSNT, in a release following the seizure. “The conditions were absolutely deplorable, with feces and animal carcasses everywhere, as well as inadequate food and water. There were animals forced to live in small enclosures with animal carcasses.”

The owner chose not to appeal the custody decision, and the HSNT will now be able to begin placing the animals with new owners. The organization is preparing 30 bunnies for adoption, by spaying and neutering them, as well as several donkeys, pigeons and doves. Those interested in adopting an animal can mail, fax or turn in an application at the HSNT office at 1840 East Lancaster Avenue in Fort Worth.

The 173-animal seizure came just over a month after two additional instances of mass animal neglect. The Flower Mound Police Department recently recovered 51 Maltese mix-breed dogs abandoned on the side of the road days after the HSNT recovered 41 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels abandoned in Sanger.

Flower Mound police captain Richard Brooks said the dogs recovered by his department had “mud and feces in their hair.” All the dogs have since been adopted, but a $1,000 reward is being offered to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the party responsible for dumping the dogs..."  More