Law enforcement officers are investigating more than 100 instances of alleged animal cruelty, resulting in the largest animal seizure ever in Erath County.
According to information released by the Erath County Sheriff’s Office, about two weeks ago deputies were called to a property on CR 712 near Huckabay in Erath County in reference to a dead animal on a neighbor’s property.
Deputies contacted an individual on CR 712 and discovered that this person was in possession of numerous animals that appeared to be in poor condition and an investigation was opened. Numerous dogs, cats, and livestock were found at this time to be living with inadequate water and food supplies along with inadequate shelter.
A warrant to seize the animals was granted by Justice of the Peace Pct. 1 Judge Jeff Alexander and Monday, March 18, deputies from ECSO, Erath County Crime scene technician, representatives from the Stephenville Police Department Animal Control, representatives from Animal Investigation and Response, and the Erath County Humane Society assisted in the seizure of more than 100 animals that were found to be in unhealthy and unsafe conditions. Erath County Fire and EMS staff also assisted in the seizure. The seized animals consisted of numerous dogs, hamsters, rats, reptiles consisting of lizards and snakes, birds, horses, goats, pigs and a ferret.
Also, during the investigation and seizure, deputies discovered carcasses of dead domesticated and livestock animals in various stages of decomposition on the property.
All surviving animals are now in the custody of the Erath County Sheriff’s Office pending a hearing in Justice of the Peace Pct. 1 where final ownership of the animals will be decided.
All animals are being seen and cared for by veterinarians from Greens Creek Veterinary Hospital here in Erath County and veterinarians from Texas A&M University.
This is an ongoing investigation and once completed will be turned over to the Erath County Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
As this is an ongoing investigation the name of the alleged suspect will not be identified at this time, according to ECSO. In investigations such as this, two criminal offenses apply, both of which are misdemeanors: Texas Penal Code 42.092 identifies Cruelty to Non-livestock Animals as a Class A Misdemeanor and Texas Penal Code 42.09 identifies Cruelty to Livestock Animals as Class A Misdemeanor.
If there are prior convictions, theses offenses could be raised to a felony offense.