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Case ID: 14760
Classification: Neglect / Abandonment
Animal: dog (non pit-bull), horse, chicken, goat
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Farmed animal neglect - over 60 seized
Clifton, TX (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Oct 23, 2008
County: Bosque

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Jos� Haona

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

The owner of more than 60 animals seized from a farm in Clifton on Thursday could face fines and jail time on animal abuse charges.

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals workers seized 49 chickens and roosters, six horses, four dogs and three goats around 10 a.m. from a 16-acre farm at 7194 Farm-to-Market Road 219. A custody hearing is scheduled for Monday to determine whether the animals will remain in SPCA care or be returned to the property owner.

Randy Threlkeld, deputy with the Bosque County Sheriff's Department, said a passer-by reported possible animal neglect at the property two weeks ago, and the SPCA in McKinney was notified. The sheriff's office assisted in Thursday's operation, which took about three hours.

"Throughout the week, we attempted to assist the property owner, because we realized that the animals needed to be seen by a veterinarian," said Maura Davies, spokeswoman for the SPCA. "But the owner would not cooperate."

Davies said bits of moldy hay were scattered around the property for the grazing animals, and the dogs and chickens had little or no food and water. She did not know how long the animals had gone without adequate food.

"I know the deputy said the property owner told him he hadn't fed the horses in over a month," Davies said. "Outside the fence where the goats were being held, the grass was nibbled all the way down to the dirt where they could reach it, just trying to get the little bit of food that they could."

The chickens and roosters were missing many of their feathers, and the four-legged animals were dangerously thin. The animals all had unexplained cuts and abrasions, Davies said.

"There was trash strewn about the property, so the horses and chickens may have gotten the cuts from some of that," she said. "One of the goats had severe damage to his ears, and it's quite possible it's from the other goats eating them."

Davies said during the initial walk-through last week, they found one dead horse on the property. When they returned for the seizure, that horse had been burned as a means of disposal.

Threlkeld said the property owner faces misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, which is punishable by a year in jail and an up to $4,000 fine. The charge could be upgraded to a felony, depending on the findings of the SPCA. He said this is the first seizure the sheriff's department has done in the four years he's been there.

"Normally the property owners will willingly turn over the animals to us, but he was not willing to do so," Threlkeld said. "But it's never been this many animals. I think the (most) animals we had taken at a time is six or eight."

Davies said the animals are being held at the SPCA animal care center and clinic in McKinney for evaluation and treatment.


Case Updates

A judge Monday in Bosque County awarded custody of more than 60 mistreated animals seized last week from a rural property outside of Clifton to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals.

SPCA representatives and Bosque County sheriff's deputies seized 49 chickens, six horses, four dogs and three goats last Thursday from the property near Clifton.

The SPCA is caring for the animals at its facility in McKinney.

The animals were without proper food, water or shelter, the SPCA said, and the property owner could not afford to feed them or provide basic care, but was willing to work with the group.

Deputies said the owner faces charges of animal cruelty.

One horse died before the seizure Thursday and its body had been burned, the SPCA said.

The group found evidence that the goats were so hungry they were gnawing on each other's ears.

Bosque County deputies discovered the animals after receiving a tip call.

During the seizure Thursday, deputies found evidence of animal neglect at an adjoining property, which the SPCA is now investigating.
Source: KWTX - Oct 27, 2008
Update posted on Oct 28, 2008 - 1:01AM 
Representatives of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Texas and Bosque County sheriff's deputies seized 49 chickens, six horses, four dogs and three goats Thursday from a rural property near Clifton.

The SPCA will care for the animals at its facility in McKinney at least until a hearing on Oct. 27 to determine custody.

The animals were without proper food, water or shelter, the SPCA said, and the property owner could not afford to feed them or provide basic care, but was willing to work with the group.

"I try to feed the animals every day, but money is tight because work has been scarce, and so it's difficult," said owner Jos� Haona,

Deputies said Haona faces charges of animal cruelty, and said they are seeking an arrest warrant.

One horse died before the seizure Thursday and its body had been burned, the SPCA said.

"The lack of care of these animals is deplorable," said Courtney Stevens, SPCA of Texas' Rescue & Investigations Supervisor.

"Thanks to the quick action of the Bosque County Sheriff's Department, we may be able to give these animals a chance at a better life."

The group found evidence that the goats were so hungry they were gnawing on each other's ears.

Bosque County deputies discovered the animals after receiving a tip call.

During the seizure Thursday, deputies found evidence of animal neglect at an adjoining property, which the SPCA is now investigating.
Source: KWTX - Oct 25, 2008
Update posted on Oct 25, 2008 - 3:35AM 

References

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