Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force Rescues 50 Jack Russel Terriers

The Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force is rescuing up to 50 Jack Russell terriers from a property in Washington County.  In cooperation with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, which obtained a warrant yesterday, Humane Society of Missouri animal cruelty investigators and an independent veterinarian visited the property this morning to assess the dogs’ health and living conditions.  Earlier visits to the property determined there is no running water on the property and that the owners, who do not live on the property, provided little to no veterinary care. Investigators found no food available for the animals and food and water bowls were contaminated with feces.  The owners do not have a license to breed dogs in Missouri.  The veterinarian determined all of the animals should be removed from the property.

More than 30 dogs were living in the trailer which was filthy with feces and urine throughout. Some of the dogs are thin and have hair loss; many have overgrown nails; at least one is blind.  Mothers with newborn and older puppies and other adult dogs were living in several make-shift, outdoor pens with no access to fresh water or a daily food supply. Upon arrival at the Humane Society of Missouri headquarters, each dog will be examined by Humane Society of Missouri veterinarians and veterinary technicians and cared for by Humane Society shelter staff.

The Humane Society of Missouri will continue to investigate this case with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to provide information pursuant to possible prosecution.  A disposition hearing to determine permanent custody of the dogs will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30, 2015 at the Washington County Court House, in Potosi, Mo.

Donations of toys for small dogs, bed sheets and towels to help care for these rescued dogs may be brought to the Humane Society of Missouri’s Macklind Ave. Adoption Center, 1201 Macklind Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 63110.

(Courtesy of Humane Society of Missouri)