Hoarding - 489 animals seized from trailer park
Bryan, TX (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Jun 22, 1993
County: Brazos
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Weston Opitz
Weston Opitz, 51, of Bryan has been arrested and charged with two counts of cruelty to animals. Opitz was able to post his $1,500 bail and was released later the same day he was arrested.
On June 22 authorities seized 489 animals from the trailer of Opitz, located in a trailer park at Krenek's Mobile Park, 1602 Finfeather Road.
Some of the animals seized were: 57 gerbils, 117 rats, six prairie dogs, a opossum with eight young, 17 cockatiels, 39 chickens, a hedgehog, six flying squirrels and dozens of parakeets, pigeons and other birds and small animals.
Two counts of cruelty to animals was being charged because it would clog the justice system if 489 counts against Opitz were filed. "The point we are trying to make can be made with two or three cases."
"The entire area was covered with feces, urine, mold, rotting food and flies. There were open boxes containing dead baby animals, feces, urine and trash." Many of the animal's water bottles were filled with algae.
The animals stayed in an animal shelter overnight and about 10 animals died, mostly gerbils and finches. "We've lost a few, but considering the condition we found them in, we're pleased with how many have made it."
Quite a few of the animals were lethargic and losing hair. Since arriving at the shelter, a few of the rats have given birth.
Opitz pleaded no contest to one count of animal cruelty. This allows the shelter to auction the animals to the public. The wild animals will be sent to a wildlife rehabilitation center in the hopes they can successfully be returned to the wild. The shelter hopes to raise $5,000 which is what it has cost the shelter to care for the animals. References- The Eagle, Bryan-College Station - July 8, 1993
- The Eagle, Bryan-College Station - July 28, 1993
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