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More than 200 Dogs Rescued.
from http://www.tylerpaper.com/
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 this morning.
By STEPHANIE JETER Staff Writer
Around 200 dogs believed used for breeding were seized by the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday making the Gladewater “puppy mill” one of the largest animal cruelty cases in Upshur County history, said Sheriff Anthony Betterton.Teresa Dawson, 51, of Gladewater was arrested Monday on charges of felony cruelty to animals, Betterton said.
Ms. Dawson was allegedly running the operation from her home off of Private Road 3463, an area around 100 yards from the public road and hidden by trees.Several warning signs were nailed to the homestead’s front gate, cautioning visitors that they weren’t welcome. Two signs said trespassers would be shot.But even a football field’s length from the house, dogs could be heard barking and whimpering. The dogs were kept on a small lot stacked with kennels and feces-soaked dog runs.Dogs were paired male/female to ensure continuous breeding, though the dogs’ appearance signified that they weren’t in good enough condition to reproduce, Betterton said.Dogs – mainly small breeds like Chihuahuas, terriers and boxers – had visible health problems.
For many, Dallas SPCA Director of Communications Maura Davies said, the problem was malnutrition. Some dogs had eye problems and were diseased, she said. Any fur the dogs had was matted and splotchy.Grass grew knee-high around heaps of waste. Old propane tanks, lawnmowers, tubs of rancid water and old clothing and toys filled the spots between rows of kennels. The travel trailer, in which investigators believe Ms. Dawson may have slept, held even more dogs, trapped inside by a piece of fencing pushed against the doorway using a table.A small mobile home behind the trailer had a baby gate wired to the window, presumably, Davies said to keep the dozens of dogs held inside from escaping.Betterton tried to open the mobile home’s door, but was met by at least 4 small breed dogs that tried to escape. Roaches dripped from the ceiling and liquid feces replaced the floor.The door had to be closed. Hours before, Ms. Davies said an ammonia level of 28 was recorded inside the home. Twelve is considered dangerous.
SPCA rescuers wore masks to enter the various structures onsite and still left coughing.All animals will be cared for by the SPCA before a legal hearing is held to determine dog ownership. If the court awards custody to the SPCA, Davies said the animals would be considered for adoption on a case-by-case basis.Dawson is being kept at the Upshur County Jail. Her bond has not been set.
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