SPCA of Texas Removes 17 Allegedly Cruelly Treated Dogs from Van Zandt County Property

The Dogs Include 16 Cocker Spaniels and 1 Boxer Living in Deplorable Conditions

DALLAS; VAN ZANDT COUNTY, TEXAS – On the morning of Friday, March 22, 2024, the SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI) Unit removed 17 allegedly cruelly treated dogs from a property near Canton, Texas. A total of 16 Cocker Spaniel dogs and one Boxer dog were cruelly confined to deplorable living conditions. All surfaces of the home were covered in feces and saturated with urine.

Skeletal remains of a deceased dog were discovered under a bed in the bedroom of the home.

The SPCA of Texas measured the ammonia level inside of the residence to be 350 parts per million (ppm). For a point of reference, short term exposure to any ammonia level over 20 ppm or long term exposure to any level over 12 ppm can cause health problems in humans.

The ACI Team had to utilize protective gear and respirators to rescue the dogs from the residence. The Cocker Spaniels’ fur was heavily matted and caked with feces to a degree that it was impeding their ability to walk, and they appeared to be suffering from skin and eye issues. The outside of the house is infested with fleas.

The dogs had access to filthy water, and the ACI team witnessed the dogs attempting to eat dry dog food that appeared to have been thrown on top of the feces-covered floor in the kitchen.

“These are some of the most horrific living conditions for an animal that I’ve ever seen as an investigator,” said SPCA of Texas Chief Investigator, Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit Courtney Burns, CAWA. “A human being treating another living creature like this is beyond horrific.

“I urge anyone who suspects an animal or animals is being treated cruelly to please reach out and file a complaint,” Burns added. “That is the only way we can put a stop to situations like this and keep precious four-legged beauties safe.”

The same day a complaint from a concerned citizen about suspected animal cruelty was received, an SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigator visited the property where he was able to hear an unknown amount of dogs barking from within the residence but was unable to observe the dogs or their conditions. The investigator left an urgent notice on the door for the owner, requesting that the owner contact him. The following day, the investigator returned to perform a follow up visit and found that the tag was undisturbed, indicating that the owner had not been by to care for the dogs.

The investigator placed a second notice on the door requesting that the owner contact him. On the morning of March 22, 2024, the investigator performed a final follow up and found the tags to be undisturbed, indicating that the owner had not cared for the dogs in approximately two days, which provided the investigator with sufficient probable cause to obtain search and seizure warrants for the animals on the property.

That same day, the SPCA of Texas ACI Unit arrived at the property with search and seizure warrants and found the owner of the dogs on scene. He was served with the warrants and the ACI Unit made entry into the home.

The dogs were transported to the SPCA of Texas’s facility in Dallas for medical treatment and forensic evaluations. A civil custody hearing for the dogs has been set for April 1, 2024 at 10 a.m. in Van Zandt County Justice of the Peace Court, Precinct 4, the Honorable Judge Scott Shinn presiding.

The SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit will pursue criminal animal cruelty charges in this case. It was determined by the SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit that the dogs in this case were deprived of necessary food, water, shelter and care to maintain them in a good state of health. According to the Texas Penal Code 42.092 (Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals), a person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly tortures an animal or in a cruel manner kills or causes serious bodily injury to an animal. An offense of this nature is a felony of the third degree.

To support the SPCA of Texas’ efforts to rescue, heal and find homes for animals from cases of cruelty and neglect, please visit www.spca.org/give.

View photos of animals on scene.