Search Warrants Served Regarding Animal Abuse & Neglect In Pettis County

On Thursday, the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office, Pettis County Prosecutor Phillip Sawyer, and a team from the Humane Society, served two search warrants within Pettis County.

The details, according to a facebook post by Pettis County Sheriff Brad Anders, are as follows:

At approximately 9:23 a.m., a search warrant was served at 19778 Maltsbarger Road reference animal abuse and neglect.

Upon arrival, contact was made with the owner, Monica Petree, who was provided a copy of the search warrant and advised of the process. During warrant service, five dogs were seized from the property and custody relinquished to the Humane Society. Two of the dogs were believed to be dehydrated with one of them extremely emaciated. The others lacked adequate food, water, and shelter. None of these dogs were aggressive. Charges of animal abuse/neglect are pending against Petree.

The Humane Society immediately transported the emaciated dog and the other four to St. Louis for emergency treatment.

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At approximately 11:40 a.m., a second search warrant was served at 1534 Crestview Drive in reference to animal abuse and neglect. Upon arrival, no contact was made with the owner, Kortney Kreisler and Amber Kreisler, but the living conditions in which the animals were being kept was deplorable. Eight dogs and eight cats were seized during warrant service; Four of these cats were kittens with significant, visible illness and injury believed to be associated with the neglect.

The cats were kept in pens inside the trailer home with the kittens separated from the mother, with the exception of two which were caught roaming on the property. None of the animals seized during this incident were aggressive.

“Charges of animal abuse/neglect are pending against the Kreislers. This last search warrant was the result of repeated complaints and calls for service at the address. With the numerous calls and welfare checks, we were finally able to develop enough probable cause for the issuance of this warrant. Custody of these animals, all that were on the property at the time of service, has been relinquished to the Humane Society,' Anders said.

“I would like to give a huge shout out to the Humane Society. This was the first time I have been able to see a large team of workers come together for an operation such as this. Their professionalism, including that of the vet they brought on scene, and their love for animals is unmatched. As you know, we are lacking services for these types calls in Pettis County, and I cannot express how much their assistance is appreciated. In addition, I would also thank Prosecutor Sawyer for taking time to accompany us on such incidents. I might add, since someone will ask (I know I did), the Humane Society will not bill the county for their assistance in this matter,” Anders noted.

Charges were submitted on both on these incidents prior to this warrant service. This was simply the seizure of the animals found to have been neglected previously. Also, the Maltsbarger incident only started this past Saturday at which time charges were submitted, Anders explained.

A facebook post from the Humane Society of Missouri read:

The animals rescued yesterday are resting safely. The kittens are still struggling, but we have them under constant medical supervision. Here’s some footage we took at yesterday’s rescues so you can see how grateful we are that concerned citizens contacted us. If you want to help care for these animals, visit hsmo.org/rescue.