OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The Humane Society of the United States assisted the Grady County Sheriff's Office earlier this week, rescuing hundreds of animals in an alleged animal cruelty case.
According to officials with the Humane Society, authorities served a search and seizure warrant on a residential property located in Grady County. Upon searching the property, law enforcement found dogs, cats, goats, fish, a pig, and companion birds.
Veterinarians from Operation Kindness and Black Beauty Ranch, and responders also aided at the scene.
“As different as each of these animals are, when I imagine what their lives have been like, there is something they all have in common—the koi whose entire world is the bottom of an filthy, murky pool; the parrot in a cramped, barren cage who greets strangers with a ‘hello!’ but had plucked out his own feathers; and the sweet, attention-hungry dog pacing in circles as far as her chain will allow her —it’s a bleak existence,” said Jessica Johnson, senior director of the Humane Society of the United States’ animal rescue team.
Both rescuers and law enforcement arrived at the property when temperatures were below freezing. Rottweilers, Shih Tzus, and pit bull-type dogs were found chained and bound outside with no food or water and no type of proper protection from the weather.
Dogs and cats were found to be emaciated, with protruding hips and rib bones. Several dogs also had injuries that were untreated.
Pigs on the property had no sign of access to food or water, while the goats had a frozen water trough.
Over 20 koi fish were living in an outdoor pool that was, at first, not visible to the rescuers when first inspected due to how cloudy the water was. Different types of smaller fish were also found throughout the garage and residence.
Companion birds, which included parrots, parakeets, and finches, were also found in filthy, poorly kept cages with no proper access to environmental enrichment.
Environmental enrichment is essential for an animal's physical and mental health.
One parrot was found with large patches of missing feathers, which officials with the Humane Society of the United States say could be self-inflicted due to stress or even boredom.
“Between the number of animals and their unique, species-specific needs, this was a complex operation for everyone involved and we are especially grateful to the Grady County Sheriff’s Office for intervening for these animals. Thanks to them, these animals don’t have to live like that anymore,” said Johnson.
Despite the rough living conditions, the Humane Society of the United States says many of the animals were friendly and longing for attention.
They were removed from the property and taken to unidentified areas to be given the care needed and in-depth exams.
Placement arrangements with shelters, rescue partners, and sanctuaries will be decided over the next few weeks.
