The Humane Society examined dozens of dogs in a triage room Friday night after they were rescued from a veterinarian in the Missouri Bootheel.
The 45 dogs � plus a cat and two cockatiels � brought from Dunklin County had matted fur, eye and ear infections and untreated tumors. But they may have been the lucky ones; a pit in the front yard of the Kennett-area home, about 200 miles south of St. Louis, contained the rotting bodies of dead animals in trash bags.
The rescued animals were taken from the filthy home and yard. A sign outside advertised a veterinary practice, but it was unclear if the veterinarian lived there and whether the practice was in business.
Dunklin County Sheriff Bob Holder said charges are expected against the veterinarian, who was being evaluated.
The animals, including cocker spaniels, poodles, chihuahuas and mixes, were brought to St. Louis in two waves. At the Humane Society's headquarters on Macklind Avenue near Forest Park, they were examined by a veterinarian and given vaccinations, treatment for fleas and ticks, cleaned, dewormed and had their nails and hair trimmed. They were weighed and photographed.
The animals had enough food and water, but did not appear otherwise well-cared for, said Dr. Melinda Fleming, the Humane Society's assistant director of Veterinary Medical Services.
"It's heartbreaking to see animals that don't have a choice living in these types of conditions and having these types of problems when they can't ask for help," she said.
Fleming said the healthy animals will likely eventually be available for adoption.
"I'm encouraged that the majority of them are going to do very well," she said. "But right now they're evidence." Case UpdatesA 66-year-old veterinarian who was convicted 24 years ago of conspiracy to commit murder was charged Monday with animal abuse in connection with 48 animals seized last week from his home in southeast Missouri.
Jonathan Wilson, whose Kennett property advertised puppies for sale, failed to provide adequate and sanitary drinking water, food and shelter, according to a probable cause statement from the Dunklin County Sheriff's Department. The crime is a Class A misdemeanor.
The probable cause statement described the water as stagnant and discolored, and both the food and shelter as contaminated with feces and urine.
Forty-five dogs, a cat and two cockatiels were seized Friday from the vet, whom Dunklin County Sheriff Bob Holder said was being evaluated. No one answered at Wilson's residence Monday, and the prosecutor didn't know if Wilson had an attorney.
The seized animals were in an area adjoining Wilson's Kennett-area residence, which once served as a veterinarian's office. The dogs included cocker spaniels, poodles, cockapoos and a Boston terrier.
The Humane Society of Missouri took the animals to St. Louis for care and treatment. It said feces and trash were piled up in the house and on the grounds.
Garbage bags full of dead, decomposing dogs had been dumped in a pit in the yard and partly covered with dirt.
Humane Society spokeswoman Jeane Jae said Monday that 22 of the animals are being treated for heartworm, and others for eye and ear infections. An 8-year-old female cocker spaniel had to be euthanized Friday, she said.
Wilson was sentenced in April 1984 to five years in prison on a conspiracy to commit capital murder conviction out of Dunklin County. He served a little more than a year at the old Missouri State Penitentiary before being paroled in July 1985, Department of Corrections spokesman Brian Hauswirth said.
Dunklin County prosecutor Stephen Sokoloff, who prosecuted the 1984 case, said Wilson had attempted to hire a hit man to kill a woman who sued him for paternity.
Sokoloff said Wilson gave money, a map and information to identify the woman to an undercover Missouri State Highway Patrol officer, whom he believed would kill her. After Wilson got out of prison, his veterinarian's license was reinstated, Sokoloff said.
Jae said if the Humane Society is awarded custody of the animals at a hearing on Feb. 8, the animals will be placed for adoption. Information on adopting the animals and donating for their care can be accessed on the Humane Society's Web site or by calling 314-802-5712. | Source: Examiner - Jan 14, 2008
Update posted on Jan 14, 2008 - 11:11PM |
The veterinarian accused of animal abuse after more than 40 dogs and other animals were rescued from his property Friday served time for a felony crime in the 1980s.
According to Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Steve Sokoloff, Jonathon Wilson served time in the 1980s for conspiracy to commit murder.
Dunklin County Sheriff Bob Holder says the animals belonged to Dr. Wilson. More charges are possible.
The Humane Society of Missouri and the Dunklin County Sheriff's Department rescued the animals from Wilson's property near Kennett Friday morning.
Several poodles, cocker spaniels, cockapoos, and other breed mixes were found with matted hair and eye infections. According to the Humane Society, the dogs were kept in areas with feces covering the floors in the house and outside. An open pit with bags of decomposing dogs was also on the property.
The rescued dogs will be taken to the Humane Society's Headquarters in St. Louis. They will remain in the custody of the Humane Society at least until the disposition hearing on Feb. 8. Call 314-802-5712 for information on adopting these animals. | Source: KFVS - Jan 14, 2008
Update posted on Jan 14, 2008 - 10:48PM |
References« MO State Animal Cruelty Map
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