2009-11-26

‘Biggest animal seizure in Bandera County to date’

By Judith Pannebaker

“This was the biggest seizure of animals to date in Bandera County,” said Jennifer Gaertner, community liaison for animal control issues. Her statement came on the heels of an operation that resulted in the confiscation of 43 miniature dachshunds and two cats the morning of Monday, Nov. 23.

All the animals were removed from a purported dachshund breeder located in Utopia off FM 470. According to Gaertner, neighbors had complained to Precinct 3 Constable Rod Chalmers for several weeks about “noise and bad smells” coming from the property. Bandera County Senior Animal Control Officer Rick Neely became involved a week ago.

On Friday, Nov. 20, Gaertner and Neely, along with other deputies with the Bandera County Sheriff’s Office, toured the property, gathering evidence by taking photographs and witness statements.

Describing the dogs’ accommodations, Gaertner said two to six animals were being kept in wire fenced-in areas not kennels. “The ‘shelters’ were made from pressed board with bare ground for floors. Those little dogs had absolutely nowhere to go to get out of Friday’s pouring rain,” she said.

Based on the evidence, Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Lynn Holt signed a warrant on Monday, allowing law enforcement officers to seize all animals on the property. The warrant was executed later that morning.

“The warrant has to be written that way. Some of these dogs are pregnant, which means any puppies born after the seizure also become part of the criminal investigation,” Gaertner explained.

Rescue organizations that assisted with the seizure included Diamond Dachshund Rescue of Texas, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Humane Societies of the United States and Bexar County and the Cowboy Capital Pet Assistance League, as well as PetSmart Charities.

“I want to give a big thank you to Christine McEntyre of Diamond Dachshund Rescue,” Gaertner said. “She coordinated all 15 volunteers who helped us and pulled this whole thing together. We can’t thank her enough.”

The animals’ transport necessitated use of an open trailer and several BCSO pickup trucks as well as CCPAL’s climate controlled trailer. Neely was thankful for a new and larger bed for his animal control vehicle. “This allowed me to transport 15 of those small dogs. In the old one, I could only carry four dogs,” he said.

Additionally, BCSO Deputy Shane Meritt unexpectedly found himself playing mother hen to two mama dogs and their pups in his county-issued pickup, Gaertner said.

Most of the animals were taken directly to the Bandera County Animal Control Facility on Highway 16 North. However, a mother dog that appeared to be paralyzed in her back legs – possibly due to either a fractured back or pelvis – and her three puppies are being treated by Lauren Adams, DVM, at the Bandera Veterinary Clinic.

The rest of the animals are being housed comfortably in the two buildings at the county facility.

The owners of the breeding kennel will face animal cruelty charges, as well as 45 charges for failing to administer rabies vaccinations, Gaertner said. The couple was reportedly unaware of a county statute requiring regular rabies vaccination for cats and dogs “since they lived in the country and not in a town.”

The animals will remain in the county animal facility until a hearing determines their disposition. “A hearing has been set for Nov. 30, but it will probably be continued because of the Thanksgiving holiday,” Gaertner said. She opined that the hearing would probably take place on Monday, Dec. 7, with Holt presiding.

If the county is awarded custody of the animals, Gaertner anticipated no problem finding the dogs and cats homes. “All the animals are super friendly and extremely adoptable,” she said. “In fact, several animal groups have put informal ‘dibs’ on their favorite little dachshunds.”

Gaertner expected to remain at the facility until 9 pm or longer on Monday. “A vet is coming later to do more thorough medical exams on the seized animals. Also we’ll be taking more pictures for evidence at the hearing.”