Update: Spindletop dog rescue
The future of the dogs collected from Spindletop near Willis, Texas, is much brighter this afternoon
Dog owners from across the state waited at Montgomery County Precinct#3 most of the day.
Dogs could not be released until there was a legal transfer to the county.
Vets haven’t even had time to finish evaluating half of the 298 dogs.
Hey, we’re all going to be OK! (Image: http://www.montgomerycountypolicereporter.com)
Dogs are being screened for microchips
They have identified 60 dogs with chips – 2 of those dogs have been identified.
Microchip issues:
Chip hits are going back to shelters or former owners
If you chip your dog, please call the manufacturer, give the chip number and ask them to make sure the dog/chip is registered and they have the correct information.
Some of the lowest price procedures evidently did not register the number with manufacturer.
I’m doing my best to be good. (Image: http://www.montgomerycountypolicereporter.com)
Many desperate dog owners who had paid to board dogs held up pictures hoping authorities could tell them their dog’s status.
Apparently they were charged $750. a quarter for boarding, training, and evaluations
Most said the parts of the property they saw seemed clean – but they were only allowed in an area in the front of the house. Not allowed to look elsewhere.
One said they were told that one building close to the front was where aggressive animals were held.
Everyone is trying to be patient – and all the dogs are comfortable and being cared for by vets and rescue staff.
I can do this – but, Mom, come get me soon!
(Image: http://www.montgomerypolicereporter.com)
Resolution and quick reunions: up to Spindletop
If Spindletop appealed the order, nothing could be legally done with the dogs until that it was resolved.
An appeal could have meant another thirty days before dogs could be released to owners.
If you sent a dog to Spindletop, contact:
- Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable Tim Holifield
- Corrected email:
Tim.Holifield@mctx.org
- Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 JUDGE G. TREY SPIKES
2241 North 1st Street Conroe, Texas 77301
Phone: 936-538-3788 Fax: 936-538-7732 - Owners will need proof of ownership / photos / vet records / micro chip info.
Montgomery County Animal Shelter on SH 242 (Texas, north of Houston) welcomes any dog food, Kongs, and peanut butter.
Thank you PetSmart! (www.montgomerypolicereporter.com)
Update Friday-4:30 p.m.
An agreement was just reached. Ms Purcell will get to keep 11 non-pit bull dogs she has proven she owns.
The others will be evaluated and then reunited with owners.
No dogs will be destroyed.
Only one dog has died during the rescue – quite a feat considering several were taken for immediate care.
They all seem to be well socialized – few showing any aggression.
Thank you Ms Purcell for removing obstacles and doing what is best for the dogs at this time.
I don’t ask for much – just a quiet place. (Image: http://www.montgomerycountypolicereporter.com)
Relieved, (now back to our regular scheduled blogging….)
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
Read more in related post: “Pitted against emotion” - more information about the rescue.
Whoo. I just don’t know what to feel…
Everyone cheer – it’s all going to be OK! Thanks for checking in
It’s nice to see a more hopeful story in the news today.
Yes, repeated exposer to ugly news is disheartening – and somehow encourage more of the same. So, not going to look at that pointless stuff. And yea for happier endings. Thanks for heading over
This is such wonderful news. It’s nice to read good news about pit bulls and rescues for a change.
Yes, and they are being given a chance. Now advertising for new homes.
And yet another plug to help shelter dogs. Rumpy dog blog is trying to win a contest to win money for a deserving shelter.( so little effort – no cost – make a difference!)
Read here about Rumpy: http://rumpydog.com/
VOTE Daily here: http://petties.dogtime.com/
I’m already a loyal Rumpy follower and have already voted!
YEA! trying to spread the word for Rumpy. THANKS
It’s nice to hear this is going so well and I hope all the dogs and their owners are reunited very soon.
Yes! Some good news.(too easy to become focused on the deranged – better to shun that one and deprive the incident of the center stage?)
Hope you laugh and play today
Are these actual photos of Spidletop dogs? Is there going to be any way we could see pictures of all the dogs? I took a dog I rescued there, but as you stated – I paid for a chip but it was put in a rescue group’s name. I rescued Trevor from a horrible situation and first took him to one rescue place. I paid for all his shots, neutering, and chip. However, everything was put in the shelter’s name. I kept in close contact with Trevor, and, after a month, I deemed he was not getting the care I wanted him to get. So, I found Spindletop, visited the shelter, and paid my $750. A few weeks later Leah told me Trevor was adopted out. Now I am so worried that she lied to me and that he has been in the horrible situation for the last year. I have pictures and vet receipts, and I am going to try to get his chip number. I hope he is not there – but then, if he isn’t I’ll never know if he is one of the dogs that died or if he was truly adopted. I am devastated over the whole situation.
These were some of the dogs.
They are photographing all of them.
Please use the contact information in the post to try and get information about your dog. (Pictures and vet receipts would help them try to locate that particular dog. The Constable’s email is there – contact him – I think he will try to help. (Maybe email a photo with your story. Give them the shelter’s name that microchipped Trevor. Maybe there were some records at Spindletop of those adopted out?)
It is a very disturbing situation. Many feel mislead.
You did what you thought was best. Probably Trevor found a forever home and is safe. Good luck and hope to hear a happy ending from you.
Thanks for sharing a glimmer of hope in this awful situation. I’m glad they say none of the dogs will be destroyed.
Once the dogs’ ownership was transferred, the county could start work on their behalf. Very kind of the shelter owner to not protest – most people mean well. Glad you had time to stop and chat
I echo heretherebespiders. When I read yoiur previous post, I was angry and exasperated. Today I saw the photos and cried, happy they are ok but so so sad for the trauma the helpless, trusting furred ones have suffered and still are, & their owners. Why, why, why do ill when it is no more difficult to do good?
Traumatic and confusing situation for sure. But now the dogs’ have a brighter future. SO glad there was a whistleblower who cared enough and was courageous enough to say something to authorities. Thanks for trotting along
FYI for anyone who is wanting to reach Constable Holifield his email address is listed incorrectly in this blog, it is Tim.Holifield@mctx.org
Thanks for the assist- I thought I had double checked that. Very grateful.
So glad to hear things are headed in the right direction. I think you’re right. Good intentions, run amok.
And now I know what a Kong is. I’d never heard of such. We cat owners can be so… um… uninformed.
It’s looking good for the rescued dogs. The judge released the owner’s personal dogs (and her mother’s). She will not be able to run a shelter in Montgomery County again and will have regular visits to make sure her animals are OK for a while.
Kongs are very weird – our Bouviers loved them, but the German is not so impressed. They are an odd shape so they bounce and roll in unexpected ways. And darn tough so they last. We never put peanut butter in them, but lots of people do.
Cats prefer more sophisticated toys…paper sacks,feathers, and selected mousies. (Dog just generally eat those – no accounting for tastes?)
Glad you stopped by (really hot now that the clouds are gone – hope you are working under shelter!)
Wow–nice work! Hope that you continue to get lots of support. Thanks for checking out and liking my blog.
This was a bad situation – trying to get some info out as had a feeling that this was such a local situation some dog owners might not know what is happening to their pups sent for training/boarding. The dogs appear to be in good hands now.
SO – now back to regular blogging.
Enjoyed visiting your blog – always looking for a good read. Thanks for dog trotting over here
Thanks for putting this together .. I am not sure that Leah deserves any thanks.. she only backed down when it was pretty apparent that she stood to gain nothing by fighting this.. I believe there is much more in the way of fraud charges to work through before she is really off the hook unless that was part of the agreement .. As I said thanks is not what I would give her.
Appreciate you stopping by. Glad my anger didn’t show through.(of all people to do this: someone with standing in the rescue/dog world)
My main concern was these dogs face difficulties finding homes, are frequently killed without a chance, – and people had dogs there that didn’t know what was going on. Hoped to get word out – an SOS.
It appears only the dogs’ fate has been settled. (It would have been selfish and horrid for the dogs if she had decided to appeal…not to mention facing dog owners worried sick over their dogs).
The real thanks goes to those who found the right persuasive words. (Anyone who lets things get so bad, probably wouldn’t have the logic or kindness to do the right thing without threats or fear? She looked pretty angry in the videos that I saw.)
Charges will be considered by a Grand Jury shortly (so I’ve been told). Staying tuned.
Now that the dogs are safe, let the humans go at it.
Once again – very grateful you stopped by. Please update if you hear anything.
I’m glad to hear the animals will be reunited with their owners. I’ve never trusted anyone but friends and family to watch my dog in my apartment. I’ve been lucky to have many people that loved Emerson (my dog) and helped care for him over the years. Especially my parents.
I’m a worrier about pets- even the no-one-wanted-them orphans. It’s always nice to have friends to help! Thanks for howling along
Thank goodness for good news…:)
Yes, happy dogs with wagging tails. Hopefully to be reunited with owners and forever homes soon. Thanks for trotting over
So true – nice to have something cheery! Thanks for shining over here
Hi Karen, it looks like I’m coming at the tailend of this dog story. How did these rescue dogs end up in the shelter? My guess is that they were found on someone’s property? Dognapping?
Oh, this is a follow-up to the post just before (Pitted against emotion)
It was a rescue shelter run by a woman who had been know as an animal advocate and expert on pit bulls.
Sad situation
It’s summer – it’s hard to keep up with everyone – I’m behind on reading, too!
Glad you stopped in
Yours is a most unusual and important blog. I feel fortunate to be able to read and follow it. It is people like you who make a difference in this world. Virginia
Thanks for the kind words. I really liked your post about the book and chair: have similar items here. The stories both tell.
Glad you had time to chat. Thanks for barking along
My mellow rescue may be pittie x lab. We call him shar pei x lab. Everyone’s happy, especially him.
Your post had me at “he has his own couch”. The German had one before she came here. (You need to be comfortable looking out the window to guard the house, right?) Thanks for joining the pack over here
Cages are awful small for some of those dogs… We have one chipped dog now.
A horrible situation. Hopefully the rescued critters are relocated and snug and safe now.
(Your post was a great read – beat me to that topic..wonder who’s going to service those Volts now….I think our mayor just bought some….and there’s the question of the tax payer subsidized Volts in that Mueller community near Austin,TX where the energy company partnered with UT to study electric energy usage…and got a big chunk of federal money recently…)
Oh, sorry. Thanks for barking along with the pack here