246 Dogs Rescued From Filthy Conditions - East Texas
East Texas Posted on Thursday, September 27, 2007 http://www.tylerpaper.com/apps/pbcs.dll ... e=printart UPDATE: 246 Dogs Rescued From Filthy Conditions Staff photo by Jaime R. Carrero Threatening signs at the entrance of number 164 on Private Road 3463 in Gladewater warn possible intruders from entering. Two hundred forty six dogs were found caged in feces-infested cages, without water or food, Wednesday morning. By STEPHANIE JETER Staff Writer GLADEWATER — Sheriff's officials are calling it the worst case of animal cruelty in Upshur County history. Two-hundred forty-six dogs, mainly small breeds, were rescued from a Gladewater residence Wednesday morning. Many of the dogs were malnourished, diseased and in need of vet care, said Upshur County Sheriff Anthony Betterton. *RELATED LINKS* Spotted photo gallery: View more photos from the scene http://spotted.tylerpaper.com/pages/gal ... ery=301462 Reporter Stephanie Jeter's http://www.tylerpaper.com/article/20070 ... /709280337 House Filled With Dead Animals http://www.tylerpaper.com/apps/pbcs.dll ... /708140321 Photo gallery: House Filled With Dead Animals (WARNING: Some images potentially offensive) http://spotted.tylerpaper.com/pages/gal ... ery=300256 Teresa Dawson The animals were part of a "puppy mill," allegedly run by Teresa Dawson, 51, of Gladewater. Betterton believes the operation had been running for years. Though warning signs nailed to the homestead's front gate off Private Road 3463 deterred visitors in the past, a search warrant issued Tuesday granted law enforcement access to the small rural lot. You could smell the dogs before seeing them. A sharp scent hinted of the fecal matter and decay that lay ahead. Though trees kept the littered lot hidden from view, the woods did nothing to muffle dogs' barking and whimpering. Staff photo by Jaime R. Carrero Three puppies look up from a filth-filled cage during a rescue raid led by the Upshur County Sheriff's Office and the Dallas SPCA that took place in Gladewater Wednesday morning. Rows and rows of kennels stacked four and five deep held toy breeds like Pomeranians, Boston Terriers and Jack Russell Terriers. Most dogs were paired male to female to ensure continuous breeding. For many dogs, Dallas SPCA Director of Communications Maura Davies said the problem was malnutrition. Dogs had eye problems and were diseased. The dogs' fur was matted and splotchy. As SPCA employees removed each dog for vet care, the dogs' barking got louder. "They don't look good," Betterton said. Staff photo by Jaime R. Carrero Neglected and malnourished dogs lie in a a bed of ashes, unable to react to all the activity going on around them. The Upshur County Sherrif's office and the SPCA Dallas Chapter conducted an early morning rescue operation Wednesday to confiscate around 200 dogs at 164 PR 3486 in Gladewater. Grass grew knee-high around heaps of waste. Old propane tanks, lawnmowers, tubs of rancid water and old couches filled the spots between rows of kennels. A travel trailer, in which Betterton believes Ms. Dawson may have slept, sat central to all the feces-soaked dog runs and holding-kennels. Inside were even more dogs, confined by a piece of fencing pushed against the doorway by a table. The dogs clawed at the fence's openings and barked. Staff photo by Jaime R. Carrero Members of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Dallas Chapter remove caged dogs from their confined spaces inside a cabin at 164 Private Road 3468 in Gladewater. The dogs' living quarters had ammonia levels as high as 28 (12 is considered noxious). According to Dallas SPCA VP of Operations Ann Barnes, it is one of the worst animal neglect cases she has ever seen. In front, four Chihuahuas curled up on an extinguished trash pile. A larger trash heap was found behind a separate mobile home. "You can imagine what that is," Betterton said — he couldn't explain the ashes were probably remains of charred dogs. Inside the mobile home were even more animals. Betterton tried to open the structure's door, but was met by at least four small breed dogs that tried to escape. An emaciated Chihuahua squeezed around the door frame. Roaches dripped from the ceiling. Liquid feces replaced the floor. Ms. Davies said air inside the house had an ammonia level of 28, while 12 is considered dangerous. The door had to be closed, but Betterton didn't walk away. "Just listen to what's in there." The dogs clawed and barked against the torn-up door. Ms. Dawson wasn't home. She had been picked up on charges of felony cruelty to animals Monday. Ms. Dawson left behind more belongings than the dogs. Christmas lights strung from tree to tree held up clothes. Soiled toys hung from branches and a coffee pot sat atop more trash on the back porch. And to the side of the house, a sandwich board labeled "Chihuahua" sat beside a urinal and wheel bases. Betterton said the puppies born to the ill-treated dogs may have been sold at fairgrounds or on the side of the road. Regarding plans for Ms. Dawson's littered land, Betterton said the county may seize the property, or it could go back to the original owner. Whatever the decision, it would happen in court. The dogs were discovered Sunday when a stranger responded to Ms. Dawson's sale ad for a camper, Betterton said. The would-be buyer left the land and instead bought a 40-pound bag of dog food. He fed the dogs and then notified the sheriff's office, Betterton said. Since that voluntary meal, the sheriff's office has fed the dogs around 600-pounds of food. Betterton called for state regulations to be placed on puppy sales and asked citizens to keep an eye open for animal cruelty. All animals will be cared for by the SPCA until a custody hearing is set. "The animals will see a vet and for the ones that can, be brought back up to health," Ms. Davies said. If the court awards custody to the nonprofit SPCA, Ms. Davies said the animals would be considered for adoption on a case-by-case basis. Ms. Dawson is being kept at the Upshur County Jail on bond of $20,000. |
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| How horrible , it makes your heart ache. |
HOW can people be SO cruel.
Quote: The would-be buyer left the land and instead bought a 40-pound bag of dog food. He fed the dogs and then notified the sheriff's office, Betterton
said. God bless the person that reported this. |
| That is so sad, what people will do to living creatures is beyond my understanding... |
This has GOT to stop !!!!! 
Why doesn't our GOVERNMENT lay some laws down and stop this from happening ! Give these people JAIL time and not a slap on the wrist !!!!! 
Antoinette |
| As horrible as that case is, she will be fined, can't pay, do some jail time, get mental evaluation and be right back in business in a few months to years.
Dang, it makes me mad, for the animals and prevention of these horrible situations. |
| the recitivism rate for hoarders is through the roof. she probably will relocate and do it all over again. It's a huge problem, and I agree that there should be special laws that acknowledge hoarding as a serious problem. The judges should have no leeway in punishment and all hoarders should never be allowed to live with animals again, thats the only way to stop this problem! |
MAKES ME SICK/SAD!!!!!!  |
Lil Walty wrote: The judges should have no leeway in punishment and all hoarders should never be allowed to live with animals again, thats the only way to stop this problem! You sound so Right wing with this.. 
I think that is well intentioned but a bit harsh. I feel that judges need to have leeway to humanize the law, and these hoarders usually have mental issues. Then the breeding starts and things get out of control but they don't have the capacity to deal with it. They really do love animals and think they are doing the right thing. Forcing them to go through life without a companion animal might just be cruel and unusual! Commercial ventures are a different story though. |
Ron wrote: I think that is well intentioned but a bit harsh. I feel that judges need to have leeway to humanize the law, and these hoarders usually have mental issues. Then the breeding starts and things get out of control but they don't have the capacity to deal with it.
They really do love animals and think they are doing the right thing. Forcing them to go through life without a companion animal might just be cruel and unusual! That may be true, but if they are not held accountable, how will this situation ever get changed? Not to mention the suffering these animals go through! |
| Where is this woman a hoarder? This is a "puppy mill" and she had her dogs crank out puppies for the local flea markets, road side sales and I am sure she kept the local pet stores in supply.
I feel sorry for "hoarders" who honestly care for dogs, and collect (rescue)them, but end up keeping them all and then can not care for them all. And these types of people usually have some mental problems. This woman in this case, also might not be well, but I certainly would not put her in the same category as a "hoarder". This woman used her dogs for breeding, to sell puppies...There are so many similar operations advertising puppies in the papers, and on the internet....You can spot them very easily. This is a low-budget commercial venture. And it is mind-boggling how many more there are, with dogs in the same situation, and people continue to support by purchasing internet and pet store puppies. |
Quote: This woman in this case, also might not be well, but I certainly would not put her in the same category as a "hoarder". I agree... the article mentions she kept a male and female in the cages so they'd be breeding all the time. Quote: Most dogs were paired male to female to ensure continuous breeding.
SICK, SICK, SICK.
She is NOT a hoarder... she's a breeder with absolutely no morals, no compassion, no common sense nor humanity. |
| I am sorry, but nothing about this story implies that this woman loves animals in any way. It is obvious she has mental problems, but when it comes to having this much of an effect on another living thing, human or animal, I think it must be stopped by any and ALL means. If you love something, you do not watch it starve, and then throw it in a heap and or just let it rot. There is no dignity or love in these animals lives, at the hand of this monster. There is a point when compassion switches to the affected, and away from the doer. |
| omg that makes me sick ... |
| You all sound right.
I didn't (and havent) read the full story because I don't need all the ugliness of the world in my life right now. I was replying to the comment made, and I was not in proper context of the subject of the thread. |
| There are several different types of Hoarders (according to some researchers anyway!) The common thread in hoarders is that they take in a large number of animals and cannot recognize that they are not taking care of them or that they are sick and dying. Many hoarders keep the animals because they don't think anyone else can take care of them (your typical crazy cat lady), but most hoarding cases are puppy mills run out of peoples houses.
edit: I should mention that not all hoarders do it because they love animals- some do it just because they want to make a buck, the point is thought that they don't think they are hurting the animals in the mean time. |
Lil Walty wrote: There are several different types of Hoarders (according to some researchers anyway!) The common thread in hoarders is that they take in a large number of animals and cannot recognize that they are not taking care of them or that they are sick and dying. Many hoarders keep the animals because they don't think anyone else can take care of them (your typical crazy cat lady), but most hoarding cases are puppy mills run out of peoples houses.
edit: I should mention that not all hoarders do it because they love animals- some do it just because they want to make a buck, the point is thought that they don't think they are hurting the animals in the mean time. I thought a hoarder hoarded be it animals or just things. They have a mental obsession. A mill is what I believe is described in the article - dogs ketp in a cage to keep reproducing for money. These mills are nothing but animal cruelty at its worse - i cannot imagine the suffering these dogs endure. I'm with the 'right wing's' opinion - make the laws tough and prohibit the millers from owning dogs or any other animal. Laws protecting our animals should be tougher. |
BANDAA wrote: This has GOT to stop !!!!!
Why doesn't our GOVERNMENT lay some laws down and stop this from happening ! Give these people JAIL time and not a slap on the wrist !!!!! Antoinette You can make up laws till the proverbial cows come home, but in the end the real power to make this stop is within our grasp. We need to know where our puppies come from. Avoid buying from pet shops and over the internet from anyone who will take a credit card number. Rescue, find a reputable breeder, but for heaven's sake know exactly where your puppy came from and under what conditions it was raised. And keep on doing exactly what this forum seems to do better than any other effort I've seen in our breed: educate, educate, educate. If there's no demand, there will be no supply. Simple economics. Kristine |
| as a close relative of theresa dawson that hasnt seen her in ten yrs i can rightfully say she has never been in her right mind |
Sheepie2 wrote: Lil Walty wrote: There are several different types of Hoarders (according to some researchers anyway!) The common thread in hoarders is that they take in a large number of animals and cannot recognize that they are not taking care of them or that they are sick and dying. Many hoarders keep the animals because they don't think anyone else can take care of them (your typical crazy cat lady), but most hoarding cases are puppy mills run out of peoples houses. edit: I should mention that not all hoarders do it because they love animals- some do it just because they want to make a buck, the point is thought that they don't think they are hurting the animals in the mean time. I thought a hoarder hoarded be it animals or just things. They have a mental obsession. A mill is what I believe is described in the article - dogs ketp in a cage to keep reproducing for money. These mills are nothing but animal cruelty at its worse - i cannot imagine the suffering these dogs endure. I'm with the 'right wing's' opinion - make the laws tough and prohibit the millers from owning dogs or any other animal. Laws protecting our animals should be tougher. Just because this person might have been mentally ill, doesnt mean she wasn't also running a puppy mill. Mental illness doesn't preclude greed or heartlessness. |
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