WAGONER COUNTY, OKLA. (KTUL) — The Oklahoma Animal Alliance (OAA) is still looking for forever homes for several dogs that were found neglected at a home in the south part of Wagoner County.
Deputies responded to the home on Feb. 20, where they found 20 dogs of various breeds in different stages of neglect.
The owner did not have the money to feed the animals and was battling her own health issues, deputies report. Investigators worked with the owner to a place for the dogs, in lieu of filing criminal charges.
OAA also worked with Badges and Paws to support the animals.
Officials and the owner agreed to remove the dogs in phases as spots became available, and OAA would visit the property to care for the dogs until they could be moved.
Wagoner County Sheriff Chris Elliott said in a statement:
We truly appreciate our partnership with animal rescues, and especially Oklahoma Alliance for Animals. They have been a hero to our agency for several years. I am grateful to our citizens, and even our employees who have supported our one of kind program, Badges and Paws to offer assistance in these cases. Not sure how we solve these kinds of problems without the support we are given. Wagoner County is not unique with this issue. Every County in Oklahoma is overrun with animal abuse/neglect cases that leave thousands of animals in a dismal situation and often end in mass euthanasia. Many of the problems are the fly by night illegal breeders or folks that are trying to make a quick buck off the breeding of dogs. This results in many dogs being abandoned or worse. In the state of Oklahoma, animal abuse/neglect is a felony that carries up to 4 years in prison per count. The Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office is committed to cracking down on these crimes and pursuing prosecution, as we have in the past. Please be responsible with animal ownership.
The Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office encourages citizens to spay and neuter pets and to reach out to the OAA if anyone is interested in adopting or fostering any of the dogs being rescued.
For more information, contact the OAA at at 918-742-3700.
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