New features are coming soon. Login with Facebook to get an early start and help us test them out!
Images for this Case
58 adopted dogs found in filthy conditions
Springtown, TX (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, May 9, 2012
County: Parker
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available
Alleged: Teresa Weldon
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Fifty-eight dogs, many of them described as in poor condition without food or water and in pens filled with animal waste, were seized by Parker County authorities from a residence in Springtown on Wednesday.
Two dogs, a puppy and an adult pit bull mix, had to be euthanized.
A year-old boy was found in a crib in one of the rooms surrounded by animal feces, Parker County authorities said in a news release.
The owner of the property was arrested Wednesday afternoon on a Tarrant County theft warrant, but the 48-year-old woman faces animal cruelty charges.
Parker County authorities identified the woman as Teresa Weldon, 48. She remained in the Parker County Jail in Weatherford.
Weldon also is under investigation on suspicion of child endangerment, said Lt. Mark Arnett of the Parker County Sheriff's Department.
Responding to a tip that dogs were living in poor conditions at a residence in Springtown, Parker County authorities conducted a welfare check Wednesday afternoon at the home in the 900 block of Lynch Bend Road.
Animal control officers found unhealthy and unsanitary living conditions, the news release stated.
"Their health and living conditions were in various stages," said Parker County Animal Control Supervisor Karen Kessler. "Very few were in good condition."
A majority of the adult dogs were in fair condition and at least 15 puppies were in poor health, she said.
"Although food and water were present on the property for some of the animals, others were without food and water," Kessler said.
Weldon was arrested at the scene and she was booked into jail at 1:42 p.m. Wednesday.
The dogs described as mix-breeds were taken to the Weatherford-Parker County Animal Shelter.
Sheriff Larry Fowler said that Weldon was apparently allowed to adopt animals from an out-of-county Metroplex animal shelter without a proper background check.
"That is totally unacceptable and very disheartening," Fowler said.
No one else was arrested, but others were at the home and could face charges in the case," Arnett said in the news release.
Officials with Child Protective Services were notified, authorities said.
Weldon was not the mother of the baby who was found in the crib, said Deputy Danie Huffman, a spokeswoman with the Parker County Sheriff's Department.
Case UpdatesThe Parker County Sheriff's office continues to investigate a dog rescue operation where 58 dogs were seized Wednesday.
Authorities acted on a tip from Fort Worth, which placed many dogs with Teresa Weldon near Springtown.
News 8 has learned that the Humane Society of North Texas took 20 dogs from Teresa Weldon's rescue in Johnson County in 2010.
Arlington officials said it stopped releasing dogs to Weldon last year after investigating complaints against her.
Fort Worth said it released about 200 dogs to Weldon in the past two years. Fort Worth officials said they were unaware of problems until last week, when they passed along a tip that led to Wednesday's seizure.
However, sources told news 8 that some in Fort Worth animal control were warned not to release dogs to Weldon.
Parker County authorities are now investigating her for animal cruelty.
An Oregon woman told the Parker County sheriff that she paid Weldon hundreds of dollars to adopt two dogs that were never shipped.
Shelly Meeks of the humane society said the situation points out the need to evaluate animal rescue operations, as pressure grows on shelters to place more pets for adoption and reduce euthanasia numbers. | Source: WFAA
Update posted on May 13, 2012 - 10:12AM |
References |
