In the USA a Rogers County man faces felony animal cruelty charges, after authorities discover dogs living in deplorable conditions.
It was a rescue mission Monday afternoon that few could stomach. "You walk up and go huh and then you step back and get your breath to go at again," explained neighbor Ladonna Landrum. In all investigators say they discovered 14 defenseless dogs inside the tiny trailer. They say feces were stacked knee deep and trash was piled high inside. Outside, more than a handful of dogs were also caged while others ran lose. "Their day to day life was absolutely pure hell," said Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton.
Neighbors say Dennis Brooks created the mess, but bailed on the animals and the trashed trailer months ago. "I saw him in and out. Pull in the drive way come for five or ten minutes and then leave. You know and that was it," explained Landrum. However she says the animals here aren't his only victims.
She says raw sewage, mice, and other critters became a problem. She feared for her family and the other neighbors' safety. Walton says someone finally had enough and called for help. "Obviously their best days are ahead of them. We got them out of this mess."
Brooks faces felony animal cruelty charges.
Wild At Heart Ranch owner Annette Tucker tells KTUL.com 22 dogs were rescued in Claremore.
Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton says the dogs were found in "worse than deplorable conditions."
Deputies arrested 60-year-old Dennis Lee Brooks of Chelsea on felony animal cruelty charges.
Neighbors called sheriff deputies to investigate a house near 1100 Kay street where up to 32 dogs were living without any humans around.
What investigators found was a house with deep layers of dog feces and trash everywhere. Rescuers had to put on special suits and shovel a path through the feces before wading through to rescue the animals.
Walton says the owners would come by every once in awhile to feed the animals and give them water.
He says the dogs' everyday life was "absolutely pure hell."
The animals that were kept outside were in a 6 foot by 12 foot pen with seven dogs. Sgt. Tandy Reeder said their shelter was an old washing machine tub. Reeder reported that feces was overflowing to such an extent that it was "pouring out from the sides."
Tucker says the dogs looked ok but were taken to be examined by a veterinarian in Rogers County. Walton says the dogs looked to be fed, but the problem was living in such terrible conditions.
After getting the all-clear and surgery to be spayed/neutered, the dogs will need foster families and adoptive homes.
Walton says, "Their best days are ahead of them."
Tucker says the immediate need is money for medical care and boarding costs. Adoptive families and foster homes are also needed in order to re-home all these dogs.
