Two horses among animals seized from rescue property

The property was the location of "Neely's Pet Place", which is a self-proclaimed rescue group, the SPCA of Texas said.

Under the authority of the Fannin County Sheriff's Department, the SPCA of Texas seized 43 dogs, eight lizards, three chinchillas, two ferrets, two snakes, two turtles, two horses, one bird and a rat.

The SPCA said they also found 20 dead animals on the property in Bonham, most placed in plastic bags and stored in the barn on the property.

The SPCA said some of the dogs were not receiving proper veterinary care and some did not have adequate food and water. Many of the dogs were severely underweight to emaciated, had no access to water or only filthy water available to drink, and had hair loss, it said.

The dogs kept inside the house on the property were "living in filth".

The SPCA of Texas said it received an anonymous tip regarding the animals' conditions.

An SPCA investigator visited and outlined a compliance agreement, signed by the owner, to bring the animals' conditions into accordance with state statute.

On a scheduled follow-up visit, the SPCA of Texas discovered that the owner had not complied with the agreement.

On the final follow-up visit the morning of Wednesday, February 24, the Fannin County Sheriff's Department concurred with the SPCA of Texas that it was in the animals' best interest to obtain a warrant and remove the animals immediately.

SPCA of Texas vehicles transported the animals to the Perry Animal Care Centre in McKinney, where they will be examined by medical staff and cared for until the custody hearing.

The custody hearing will take place on March 4 at 10am in a Fannin County courthouse.

If the SPCA of Texas is awarded custody, they animals will be individually evaluated for potential adoption or placement on a case by case basis.