Dozens of animals seized from Kaufman County property

by SHELLY SLATER

Acting on anonymous complaints, the SPCA of Texas seized 39 cats, six horses, three dogs and two squirrels being kept as pets from a property near Mabank Thursday afternoon.

The SPCA said the cats were confined to a small room covered in feces and urine; the horses were kept in filthy stalls.

For the property owner, watching her animals being taken away was devastating.

"This is a situation of cruel confinement," said SPCA spokeswoman Maura Davies. "The animals seem to have food, water, and shelter, but there are about 30 cats being held in a 10 foot by 10 foot room; they're locked in — they have no way of escaping."

Investigators said the animal waste material in the residence sent ammonia levels "off the charts.".." More & video

Woman Charged After Numerous Animals Seized From Property

Donna Limberger

A Mabank woman has been arrested and charged with a felony count of animal cruelty after 26 dogs and three cats were taken from her home on VZCR 2724 on October, 16.

Janice Craft, 54, was arrested in Henderson County on Thursday October, 15 for the felony animal cruelty warrant out of Van Zandt County.

According to a press release by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), a SPCA investigator visited the property and began working with Craft to bring her into compliance with the Texas Health and Safety Code.

The investigator returned for the follow up visit almost a month later and the compliance agreement had been met.

"We agreed with the SPCA that the animals’ conditions had deteriorated and that immediate action was needed," said Van Zandt County Investigator Chuck Allen.

Allen said that a hearing regarding the animals’ custody will be held later in the week in the Van Zandt County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 court.

If the SPCA of Texas is awarded custody of the animals, they would be individually evaluated for potential adoption or placement on a case by case basis..." More