CANTON, Texas — UPDATE [Apr. 6] — Earlier today, a two people were arrested in connection allegations of animal cruelty at a Canton-area puppy mill.
CANTON, Texas — UPDATE [Apr. 6] — Earlier today, a two people were arrested in connection allegations of animal cruelty at a Canton-area puppy mill.
Following a grand jury indictment, Darlene Broseh and Vicky Patrick were arrested and booked into the Van Zandt County Jail on one count each of cruelty to non-livestock animal, a class A misdemeanor. Both have since been released on personal recognizance bonds.
At a custody hearing on March 23, 2018, before Van Zandt County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Sandra Plaster, the owners agreed to relinquish custody of 58 animals.
The SPCA of Texas reports 60 live animals were initially seized from the property with two puppies later dying of birth defects and a severe infestation of parasites and an intestinal virus.
Bond information and booking photos were not immediately available at the time of press.
This is a developing story.
ORIGINAL [Mar. 14] — Earlier today, 72 dogs and puppies were seized from an alleged puppy mill in the Canton area. 12 others were found deceased and wrapped in plastic bags inside a freezer, according to the SPCA of Texas.
The animals were allegedly cruelly treated and were found suffering from various health issues, including fur loss, long nails, eye issues, ear issues, matted fur, and more, stated a news release from the SPCA.
The SPCA of Texas' Animal Cruelty Investigators received a complaint of suspected animal cruelty on March 1 but, the same day, were unable to make contact with the property owners. They returned yesterday, observed the animals conditions, and returned this morning with a seizure warrant.
The Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office and Precinct 2 Constable's Office were on scene with the SPCA when the animals were seized and taken to the organization's Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center in Dallas where they will be examined by medical staff and cared for until a custody hearing takes place on March 23.
"Many of the dogs and puppies were found in living in feces-filled wire crates with no access to food or water," stated the release. "In one room, several nursing mothers with litters of puppies were found confined in small, plastic and wire crates in a closet. Other dogs roamed the urine-soaked, feces-filled house with little to no access food or water."
"The twelve deceased animals, including one adult dog and eleven puppies, were found individually wrapped in plastic bags in the kitchen freezer."
The ammonia level in the residence was also measure to be 22 parts per million.
"As a point of reference, short term exposure to any ammonia level over 20 ppm or long term exposure to any level over 12 ppm can cause health problems in humans," stated the release.
A custody hearing will be held on Friday, March 23 at 10 a.m. at the Van Zandt County Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2 Courthouse at 250 E. Grove St., Canton, TX, 75103, the Honorable Judge Sandra Plaster presiding.
Additional information from the SPCA:
The animal owner let investigators know that they were selling the dogs for profit. All large-scale animal breeders in Texas are required by law to be licensed and inspected on a regular basis. It is unclear at this point if the animal owner is properly licensed. The Texas puppy mill bill, known as the Large-Scale Commercial Dog and Cat Breeder Bill, took effect on September 1, 2012. It provides guidelines for the treatment of animals in large-scale commercial breeding operations in Texas, defined as breeders who keep 11 or more breeding females or sell 20 or more puppies or kittens a year. The law specifies that certain parameters exist for such animals, including feeding, space, shelter, ventilation and medical care, and is administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
To help support the SPCA of Texas' 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. To learn more about the SPCA of Texas, please visit our website at www.spca.org.