253 animals removed from property by Humane Society of Missouri

Nov. 13 (UPI) -- More than 250 animals were removed from a property near St. Clair by the Humane Society of Missouri during a rescue effort on Tuesday.

As part of a joint effort with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Humane Society’s Animal Cruelty Task Force rescued 192 domestic rabbits, 25 goats, 21 chickens, 10 cats, four dogs and a duck.

According to the Humane Society, “All of the animals were living in filthy conditions” and had “received little to no veterinary care.”

“The rabbits were housed in raised wire-bottom cages with feces piled in the cages as well as more than a foot under the cages. Many of the cages were encrusted with dirt and hair and have little to no shelter from the weather. Most cages held multiple rabbits, as many as 10 rabbits were crammed in each of several cages. Water for many of the animals was frozen, dirty and contaminated with feces. The goats appear to be suffering from an upper respiratory illness. The cats and other animals which were inside a home on the property also were living in extremely filthy conditions.”

The animals were brought to the Humane Society shelter in St. Louis for treatment and many of the animals will be put up for adoption if the Society receives custody.

It’s unclear whether charges will be filed against the property owner, although it’s worth noting that 158 rabbits, dogs, cats, goats, and fowl were rescued from the same property in 2010. As part of an agreement at the time, the owner agreed that she would only keep two dogs, some goats and 20 rabbits for a period of two years. That period came to an end in February 2012.

[KSDK] [Humane Society of Missouri]