CANTON, Texas — Investigators seized approximately 87 allegedly cruelly treated animals from a self-described "sanctuary" for animals in Canton, Texas, and further discovered more than 50 deceased horses in varying states of decomposition.
CANTON, Texas — Investigators seized approximately 87 allegedly cruelly treated animals from a self-described "sanctuary" for animals in Canton, Texas, and further discovered more than 50 deceased horses in varying states of decomposition.
Earlier today, the SPCA of Texas, Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office, and the Van Zandt County Constable's Office took custody of the 87 animals which consisted of 70 horses, nine donkeys, six pigs, and a longhorn.
The SPCA of Texas originally received a complaint of suspected animal cruelty on March 3, 2018, and visited the property.
"During that visit, the SPCA of Texas began working with the owners, educating them on the proper feeding and care of horses and entering into an agreement with them to bring the animals' conditions into compliance with Texas Health and Safety Code," stated SPCA of Texas' representative Marie Davies.
"At [that] time, the presence of the deceased horses was unknown," she said.
SPCA of Texas investigators further checked in on the animals on March 15 and March 28.
On March 30, 2018, the SPCA of Texas received a complaint about the more than 50 deceased horses on the property and returned the same day. After the discovery, investigators began taking measures to remove the animals.
"The SPCA of Texas and the Van Zandt County Constable's Office visited the property again on April 3 to collect additional evidence and then obtained and served a seizure warrant this morning," stated Davies.
Of the animals seized, Davies says they appear to have varying health issues including malnourishment, open sores, nasal discharge, diarrhea, hair loss, overgrown and cracked hooves, fly bites, and other injuries.
"More than half of the horses, the donkeys and the longhorn were roaming on a large, fenced pasture on the property," stated Davies. "These animals had no access to food and little to no access to water."
"Other horses were confined to two smaller pastures on the property with no access to food and minimal water."
"The horses were so desperate for nourishment that they were eating the bark off of the trees, leaving some trees completely bare of bark," stated Davies. "The pigs were confined to a small wire pen with no access to food."
One of the deceased horses was removed from the property in order for a necropsy to be performed to determine the cause of death.
The pigs were transported to the SPCA of Texas' Russell H. Perry Animal Care Center in McKinney, Texas, and the horses, donkeys, and the longhorn will be housed at an off-site care facility.
The animals will be examined by medical staff and cared for until a custody hearing on Thursday, April 19, 2018, before Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Sandra Plaster.
To help support the SPCA of Texas and its efforts to help abused, neglected and homeless animals and to support the SPCA of Texas' other programs and services, please visit www.spca.org/helptheanimals.
The SPCA of Texas is the leading animal welfare organization in North Texas. Founded in 1938, the non-profit operates two shelters, three spay/neuter clinics, two mobile spay/neuter vehicles, one mobile adoptions vehicle and an animal rescue center, all located in Dallas and Collin Counties, and maintains a team of animal cruelty investigators who respond to thousands of calls in seven North Texas counties. Moreover, the SPCA of Texas serves as an active resource center for an array of services that bring people and animals together to enrich each other’s lives. The SPCA of Texas is not affiliated with any other entity and does not receive general operating funds from the City of Dallas, State of Texas, federal government or any other national humane organization. The SPCA of Texas is dedicated to providing every animal exceptional care and a loving home. To learn more about the SPCA of Texas, visit www.spca.org.