At a Texas ranch, authorities recently discovered
multiple burn pits containing animals' bones and ashes, as well as starving dogs left to wither away in scalding summer heat. Some dogs died that way, and their
corpses were left to simply rot in the sun. A black trash bag was stuffed full of a dead dog. Authorities also
found a
"barrel full of half-burned dogs."Sign the petition to demand immediate mental health services for the person responsible! They must also be banned from animal ownership for life!According to official records, the owner of the Freedom Ranch Laredo facility was allegedly withholding food, proper water, medical care, and sanitary conditions from the animals there. Based on text messages with another associate of the facility, it appears she knew she was doing this and that it was willful.
This associate also apparently witnessed some dogs teaming together to attack others, as well as others in dire need of veterinary care, and raised these concerns with the owner. The text messages - shared with authorities - showed the owner replying flippantly and even writing "lol" to indicate laughter.
There were nearly 30 dogs at the facility when authorities went to investigate. All of the dogs have now been seized from the premises - and
the vast majority were very sickly. Most were severely malnourished, dehydrated, and underweight. Some had mange. One was sick with cancer. Others had diseases from parasites that had advanced beyond the point of intervention.
Ultimately, veterinarians were forced to euthanize three of the dogs, though the others are all in treatment and seem likely to recover.
As Isidro Alaniz, the Webb County District Attorney, said: "It's one of the worst animal cruelty cases I've seen."
It's difficult to comprehend just how horrific this situation became - and it's clear that the woman who owned the ranch requires psychological intervention, immediately, in order to keep others around her safe. Sign the petition to demand mandatory mental health services, as well as a permanent ban on animal ownership!