Published: July 02, 2008 07:22 pm            

More than 40 dogs seized at Have a Heart Refuge

By Debby Schamber

The Orange Leader



More than 40 dogs were found Wednesday dining on mounds of rotting carcasses — covered in flies and maggots — at a north Vidor residence.

Officials from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Houston Society For The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) seized all of the pets from the Have a Heart Refuge on FM 1131 after ruling the conditions were unfit for the animals.

Jack Houseman is expected to appear before Precinct 4 Judge Rodney Price at 9 a.m. today. During the hearing, Houseman will have to answer to allegations of animal cruelty. Orange County Sheriff’s Captain David Peck said he hopes to seek an order to prohibit Houseman from ever having any animals on his property again.

On Wednesday, several of the rescued dogs were spotted wagging their tails happily, while others fought amongst themselves because the event caused stress and excitement.

When officials arrived at the refuge, they discovered that an overwhelming stench led them to a 1-2 feet deep mound of rotting flesh and bones — carcasses that once belonged to sheep and cattle.

According Houseman, 59, the carcasses where obtained from a slaughter house.

“That’s what was given to me to feed them and that’s what I used,” Houseman said. “Food for the belly is food for the belly— that’s the way I believe.”

While some dogs were seen nibbling on the meat and bones, others were in cages with piles of molded dog food under their feet — much of the kibble covered in ants.

“The decayed meat made a cesspool and the dogs were standing in it,” said Peck. “I do not believe he meant to hurt these animals, but in all my 30 years of law enforcement I have never seen anything like this.”

Houseman eagerly and willingly assisted in the removal of the dogs.

“These people are my saviors,” Houseman said.

According to Peck, Houseman did state that he was looking for someplace to house the animals since they were a financial burden to him and his wife.

“They start the road to recovery now,” said Charles Jantzen, Chief Cruelty Investigator with the SPCA. “They are a ward of the state of Texas now.”

Peck initially said there were not going to be any dogs removed from the residence and Houseman was told to get the dogs up to date on the their vaccinations. However, it was after numerous complaints from neighbors of the smell and high grass that Parker took a closer look at the facility and decided it was in the best interest of the animals to remove the dogs.

It was after Deputy Reggie Parker informed him of the deplorable conditions he had no choice but to have a warrant issued for the dogs.

Parker had been at the residence numerous times, but was only recently informed of the escalating conditions.

“The citation became a lot less important and action was needed immediately,” Peck said. “It’s not a matter of them being fed, but the conditions they are kept in.”

Peck then contacted the SPCA for assistance. Members of the SPCA took the dogs away in trailers containing individual cages.

“This is not the worst I have ever seen,” Jantzen said. “There is not worst in animal cruelty. These animals suffering are no greater or less than any animal who is suffering.”

The dogs will be transported to the SPCA facility in Houston. They will be assessed medically and behaviorally. Those who cannot be placed for adoption will be euthanized.

Dogs could be ready for adoption as early as next week. People wanting to adopt the dogs can contact the Houston SPCA at 713-869-7722 or check their website at www.houstonspca.org.

Houseman said he began the refuge about 11 years ago in an effort to help stray animals off Orange County roadways.

“Its better than them running up and down the roads and getting killed,” he added.

Houseman said he has had problems with many people dumping their animals on his property. He claims they are often tied up to his fence when he arrives home or they are at his residence when he wakes up in the morning.



Reach this reporter at 409-883-3571, Ext. 2613, or dschamber@orangeleader.com

        

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