Puppy mill - 78 animals seized
Odessa, TX (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009
County: Ector
Disposition: Alleged
Abuser names unreleased
Odessa Animal Control is calling yesterday's puppy mill raid the worst they have ever seen, and they still have not found the people responsible. This is actually the second time officials have visited the property. Back in 2007 residents did comply with orders, making this abuse and neglect that much more surprising.
“Yea, this is the worst I've ever seen. This is probably the worst." Animal Control Officer Cheryl Brom said of the animal’s conditions.
It took Odessa Animal Control three separate trips to rescue 76 animals from this run down property. Starved and trapped to live in their own urine and feces.
"I was 15 feet from the truck and I could smell that odor," Brom described the living conditions.
Office Brom says it has been days and weeks since many of these animals have been fed. During the rescue two dogs were killed, trapped in a pin with bigger older dogs, Brom says she wouldn't rule out hunger as the reason.
"When we saw that, we knew we had animals that were being killed by other dogs, and we could smell something going on here."
What was once a puppy mill for Chihuahuas became a hoarding facility. Many of the dogs have collars and tags, leading investigators to question if any of these dogs were stolen.
"I’m curious, there's a pure bred Dachshund in there and it just doesn't look like it belongs," said Brom.
The 74 dogs, three cats, and one pig are now safe under the roof of animal control. With so many animals Brom says checking dog tags and health evaluations will take days.
"They all are starting to get a little calmer. They were real wild when they got here -hugging the corner. We put beds and blankets in there for them and they started to be like hey this is clean."
In the meantime a hearing is set for November 24.
"But I think we've got a pretty good case for criminal charges. There are 76 counts of abuse and neglect."
If the city does win custody over the animals they will be put up for adoption after thanksgiving, hoping to give every animal a loving home by Christmas. References |
