SPCA of Texas Removes Twelve Dogs from Cruelty Case in Van Zandt County

Madeline Yeaman Arnold
214-930-1438 (c)
myeaman@spca.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPCA OF TEXAS REMOVES TWELVE DOGS FROM CRUELTY CASE IN VAN ZANDT COUNTY

(DALLAS, TX; VAN ZANDT COUNTY, TX); June 14, 2021 – The SPCA of Texas removed 12 dogs from a trailer on a property in Van Zandt County, Texas. The dogs were transported to the SPCA of Texas’ Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center, where they will be examined by medical staff and cared for until they are ready for adoption or placement on a case by case basis.

To view images on the dogs on scene, please visit or copy and paste the following link into your browser: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/axjl9c14fe9raza/AAADibFU2nBF9m9kQ_4LkUM_a?dl=0.

The dogs were found in a small, filthy mobile home filled with feces, urine and other debris. The dogs did not have access to food or water, and appeared to have been without resources for several days. The SPCA of Texas measured the ammonia level inside of the residence to be 215 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 dogs are suffering from various health concerns, including hair loss, flea infestation, extremely long nails, and several appeared to be emaciated with their hips and spines visible.

The SPCA of Texas was referred the case by the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, June 11. The animals’ owner was arrested on June 6, 2021, and did not make arrangements for the care of the animals. On Friday, June 11, the Sheriff’s Office was alerted of the animals located at the residence of the owner, and then immediately notified the SPCA of Texas. SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigators visited the property on Saturday, June 12 and provided the animals with food and water. The SPCA of Texas made arrangements for a neighbor to assist the following day and gathered the necessary resources needed to remove all of the animals. On Monday, June 14, the SPCA of Texas’ investigators visited the animal owner in jail and he agreed to immediately sign custody of the animals over to the SPCA of Texas. Criminal charges are expected to be filed in this case.

For more information on the SPCA of Texas, please visit www.spca.org. To support the SPCA of Texas and its efforts to rescue, heal and find homes for animals, please visit www.spca.org/give.