Puppy mill - dozens of dogs seized from home - Norman, OK

Friday, Jul 23, 2010

County: Cleveland

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Aurelia Lee Snow

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

A Norman woman faces animal cruelty charges relating to an investigation that began in July, according to court papers.

Cleveland County prosecutors charged Aurelia Gregory Snow, 66, on Tuesday with five felony counts of cruelty to animals, according to court records.

The charges accuse Snow of "willfully and cruelly denying necessary veterinary care" to a female adult Yorkshire Terrier and a female adult Maltese dog" on July 23.

According to Norman Animal Welfare, officers received a complaint on July 19 from a citizen that the residence at 13780 Mesquite Road in Norman was running a "puppy mill." An animal welfare officer was assigned to investigate the complaint.

A court affidavit shows that Norman Police Department's narcotics division along with patrol officers, animal welfare division, firefighters and code compliance officers executed a search warrant at 13780 Mesquite Road on July 23. Officers found Snow at the home.

According to the affidavit, officers found three dog pens in the living/dining room with puppies.

"The floor of all three pens was covered in urine and feces and the puppies had feces matted into their fur," the affidavit read. "The puppies had no water available and only one pen contained some food."

The affidavit stated the puppies all appeared to be in need of veterinary care.

As officers executed the warrant, they found a bedroom in the house that contained "13 puppies and two adult dogs," according to the affidavit. Inside another bedroom, investigators discovered four adult dogs (one Maltese and three Yorkshire terriers). The animals appeared to need veterinary care.

Investigators seized 27 dogs from the house, according to the affidavit. Norman Animal Welfare took custody of the dogs.

In another affidavit filed with the charges, police said Snow was detained and interviewed by Norman Police Detective David King.

"Snow admitted to King that her 'breeder dogs' were not at the residence and were located at 18617 SE 134, Newalla," the affidavit stated. "Snow agreed to accompany detectives along with animal welfare officers to the kennel facility at 18617 SE 134, Newalla to allow us to check the welfare of the breeder dogs."

The affidavit showed police found a "metal building/kennel facility and witnessed a small (approximately 8' by 12') metal building with indoor/outdoor runs." The runs contained between four and five adult dogs (Yorkshire terriers, Maltese, Chihuahuas, Pugs and Papplions).

According to the affidavit, wire cages were on one side of the building. The temperature inside the metal building was 102 degrees.

"The dogs were in obvious distress and torturous conditions, living in their own feces and urine and having their hair matted to their skin," the affidavit stated.

Police contacted Oklahoma City Animal Welfare for assistance, according to the affidavit. Welfare officers seized 51 dogs from the address.

According to court papers, Snow doesn't have a kennel license and no rabies shots on the dogs. She signed the animals over to the Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Division.

Court records show Snow has a preliminary hearing conference scheduled for 1 p.m. Sept. 14.

Case Updates

A woman faces charges of running a puppy mill and animal cruelty charges after nearly 50 puppies were taken away for living in horrible conditions, investigators said. The problems were big enough for investigators. All of Snow's dogs �" more than 50 �" were taken away. In the photos sent to Eyewitness News 5, a Yorkie puppy named Jolie had injuries to her neck. All the fur had fallen off. After months of proper care, Jolie's fur has grown back and she seems to be in good health. Another puppy named Peanut wasn't expected to make it through the night when she was rescued in July, the Oklahoma Yorkie Rescue Group said. However, Peanut did make it after she received veterinarian care. The Oklahoma Yorkie Rescue Group is a nonprofit agency helping to provide new homes, and a second chance at life. The rescue groups involved in the case said they have a few dogs left to adopt. There is an adoption fee for the animals. The fee helps provide proper care when they receive a dog. The groups report that the dogs rescued in the alleged puppy mill cost the organizations $10,000 in total.

Source: koco.com - Oct 20, 2010 Update posted on Oct 20, 2010 - 11:07PM

References

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