Thursday, March 17, 2011

195 Dogs Cats and Puppies Rescued from St Francois County Missouri

Photo courtesy HSMO
It's always heartbreaking when animals are in a situation so dire that rescue is the best option.  It's even more challenging when the animals in need aren't from a bad breeding situation or puppy mill, but from a rescue group that was trying to do the right thing.

Working in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the St Francois County Sheriff's Department, the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force rescued 124 dogs, 67 cats and 4 puppies, from an animal rescue facility near Bonne Terre, Missouri on Tuesday, March 15, 2011.

The MDA inspected this facility last month and recorded numerous violations that jeopardized the health and welfare of the animals.  When little or no progress was made on the multiple recommendations made to the organization, the facility's license was revoked and the sheriff obtained a warrant for removal of the animals.

The breeds of the dogs include various mixes of Border Collies, Irish Wolfhounds, corgis, Beagles, Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Dachshunds, and Chihuahuas.  Many are suffering from hair loss and coughing.  Dozens of cats were found inside trash-strewn rooms filled with cobwebs.  Many of the animals appear to have upper respiratory infections and possibly internal and external parasites.

"We are truly saddened to see an animal rescue facility go under," said HSMO President, Kathy Warnick.  "They were trying to do the right thing, but lacked the resources to provide adequate care."

The rescued animals arrived at the HSMO Headquarters on Macklind Ave in St Louis on Tuesday.  A disposition hearing to determine permanent custody of the animals will be held April 11 in St Francois County.  If custody is awarded to the HSMO, and as soon as they are healthy, as many of these animals as possible will be made available for adoption.

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