Rescues and Seizures

Local advocates step up for dozens of abandoned Maltese and King Charles Spaniels

October 6, 2012

Updated October 7, 2012, 5:49 p.m. On October 1, 51 dogs were found on the roadside in west Flower Mound. Most were adult Maltese and Maltese mixes. Two nights later, 41 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were found on a roadside in northern Denton County. All the dogs found were in poor condition and matted with feces and urine, and some have medical conditions that need to be treated. “These dogs likely came from a puppy mill, which is why the Licensed Breeder Act that went into effect on September 1 is so important” said Stacy Smith, VP of Animal Advocacy for the Humane Society of Flower Mound. “If properly enforced, we should never see dogs in this condition in Texas. The condition of these dogs and the callous manner in which they were dumped shows the inherent cruelty in this industry. If people take one lesson away from this,...

Sign up now for ARC’s animal disaster response training September 29th

August 27, 2012

Animal Rescue Corps will be conducting a BARC (Basic Animal Rescue Course) in the DFW area on September 29th. Animal rescuers are invited to join the experienced Animal Rescue Corps team for a fun and informative day of practical training and certification. You’ll learn about the structure of emergency response and gain the invaluable knowledge and skills you’ll need to aid animals in natural and man-made disasters, large-scale cruelty cases, puppy mill busts, and more. Topics will include animal handling, investigations, logistics, intake, emergency shelter, volunteer management and more. The training will be held at Restoration Church, 4343 Sigma Road, Suite 200, Farmer’s Branch,from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 29th, 2012. Registration is just $65 before September 14th, or $75 after. Lunch will be provided by Spiral Diner and Bakery. Space is limited. Visit the Animal Rescue Corps website today to register. Copyright Rebecca Poling 2012....

Nearly 100 Spindeltop dogs still need rescue

August 13, 2012

It’s been nearly a month since the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department seized nearly 300 pit bulls, mixes, and others from Spindeltop Refuge in Wills, Texas. The dogs had reportedly been living in deplorable conditions, and according to witness testimony, many had died from the conditions they endured. While many of the dogs have now been reunited with their owners or rescuers, there are still nearly 100 dogs living in the temporary shelter set up by HSUS and Montgomery County and being cared for by Red Rover and HSUS disaster response teams. These dogs are available to rescue only (must be a 501c3) and need to be claimed by August 19th. All of the dogs have been given a placement evaluation using Dr. Amy Marder’s Marder Match-Up II evaluation. PetsMart Charities has indicated a willingness to consider providing financial assistance for any groups transferring more than 10 of the dogs...

Red Rover volunteer disaster response training Saturday in Waco

August 6, 2012

Make no mistake, man-made disasters like puppy mills and hoarders are every bit as serious as hurricanes and wildfires – the only difference is they are man-made. And like natural disasters, they required a cadre of trained volunteers willing to put their lives on hold and help others when needed. So last month, when 300 pit bulls were seized from Spindeltop Refuge by HSUS and the Montgomery County sheriff, authorities knew they would need volunteers experienced in disaster response. Caring for that many dogs, many of who were starving and neglected, until they were reclaimed and/or rescued would take weeks, and would require people with experience caring for dogs. So they contacted Red Rover. Red Rover Responders (formerly the Emergency Animal Rescue Service or EARS), shelter and care for animals displaced by disasters. Many of the Red Rover volunteers who traveled to Montgomery County in the weeks following the...

Mesquite Animal Control takes 86 of 89 cats from home of Halteman’s Haven founder

July 25, 2012

The message posted on Facebook yesterday says it all, “HALTEMAN’S HAVEN HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN!!!!”. Mesquite animal control authorities visited the home of founder Keli Halteman yesterday and removed approximately 86 cats from the residence. The City of Mesquite has pet limits – “Residents are limited to three (3) dogs and three (3) cats per household”. But because Halteman’s Haven was a 501c3 charitable organization dedicated to rescuing sick and injured cats, the City of Mesquite had given Keli permission to house as many as 25 cats – more than 8 times the normal amount. But apparently that wasn’t enough. Instead, she had 89 cats in her home – more than three times the number she’d been given special permission to house. Was Keli a victim of circumstance? She lost her job at a VCA Animal Hospital earlier this year and then the AC went out in her house,...

300 Spindletop dogs saved from “living hell” will be returned to rescuers

July 20, 2012

At least 50 rescue groups and a number of individual rescuers gathered in Conroe, Texas, this morning to attend the custody hearing for 300 dogs seized earlier this week from Spindletop Refuge in Wills, Texas. Prosecutors, law enforcement, the Judge, Spindletop owner Leah Purcell and her attorney Zandra Anderson met throughout the day, apparently to try and work out a deal or settlement. At one point, rescuers were told there was no reason to stay as it was unlikely any of the dogs would be released until next week. However, late this afternoon an agreement was reached between prosecutors and Spindletop owner Leah Purcell. All 300 dogs seized earlier today, with the exception of Purcell’s personal dogs, were surrendered. The judge then awarded custody of them to HSUS and Montgomery County. Leah Purcell was given two years probation during which authorities will be keeping an eye on the conditions...

78 dogs seized from Waco puppy mill – TDLR, are you watching?

March 30, 2012

Yesterday in Waco, authorities raided a suspected puppy mill and found 78 dogs and puppies, some as young as 4 weeks, living in filth. The facility, according to KCEN TV was owned by Harold Plagens and located at 325 Michelle Street in Reisel. Photos from the Waco police Twitter feed and video from KCEN show disgusting conditions where dogs were stacked in wire-floored crates so small they could barely lay down. Authorities also found several burned piles of bones they suspect are from dogs that had died at the breeding facility. Earlier this week, the Texas Department of Licensing & Registration ignored their own advisory board’s recommendations and adopted regulations that still allow this type of breeding facility to exist in Texas – dogs stuffed into tiny crates with wire floors their entire life and no veterinarian on site. Now tens of thousands of dogs in Texas will continue...

Aubrey puppy mill dogs rescued by HSNT available for adoption starting at noon today

December 17, 2011

Yesterday we reported that the Humane Society of North Texas had been awarded 149 small, purebred dogs after rescuing them from an Aubrey, TX, puppy mill earlier this month. Most of the dogs are up for adoption beginning today at noon, and we now have some photos, below. Interested adopters can visit HSNT’s website for general adoption fees and information, or call one of HSNT’s three adoption centers; Main location on East Lancaster at 817-332-4768 ext 102, Southwest Adoption Center on Hulen at 817-423-3647 or the Keller Welcome Home Adoption Center at 817-431-1170. Photos of some of the dogs being bathed and tended to by HSNT veterinarians are available on the HSNT Facebook page. Some of the dogs are going to need more care than others, and HSNT is looking for placement partners for those dogs as well. They can be seen on Facebook as well. The contact for...

HSNT rescues 149 Dogs, 2 Cats, 3 Goats, 12 Chickens, 3 Rabbits; all need homes for the Holidays

December 16, 2011

Earlier today, in an emotional court proceeding in Denton County Precinct 5, a couple accused of operating a sub-standard puppy mill out of their home near Aubrey relinquished their rights to more than one hundred animals. Justice of the Peace Mike Bateman awarded custody of the animals to the Humane Society of North Texas. All of the dogs are small breeds, including many “designer dogs” – like the Malti-Poo pictured here, and nearly all of the animals are in need of loving homes just in time for the Holidays. The animals were discovered by Denton County Animal Control Deputy Kirk Sissney, who received a complaint on December 6th about a puppy mill located in the county. Upon arriving at the property the same day, Deputy Sissney noted an overwhelming stench of urine and feces. HSNT staff immediately jumped into action, working hours in the bone-wrenching cold to rescue the...

SPCA rescuing 120 neglected cats and dogs in Duncanville today

October 21, 2011

The SPCA of Texas met City of Duncanville officials this morning to caravan to a Duncanville property where, according to investigators, approximately 120 cruelly confined dogs and cats are being housed in three feces-filled, urine-soaked houses on the property, and are not receiving proper food, water or care. The SPCA of Texas received a call from the Duncanville Police Department on Wednesday, October 19, and an SPCA of Texas Investigator visited the location that day. Upon discovering the cruel confinement, inadequate food and water and filthy living conditions, the Duncanville Police Department and the SPCA of Texas Investigator agreed that the animals were in need of care. The Duncanville Police Department is seeking a seizure warrant and the SPCA of Texas will rescue and transport the dogs and cats to their McKinney, Texas, facility where they will be cared for until a custody hearing can be held.According to investigators,...

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