Juana Lara, who fosters dogs, was on her way to work Tuesday when she saw a disturbing site near the Eastex Freeway feeder road.
HOUSTON — The woman who made a heartbreaking discovery near the East Freeway earlier this week is sharing her story.
Juana Lara, couldn’t believe that someone dumped the bodies of six dogs in east Harris County. Lara, an animal lover who fosters dogs, was on her way to work Tuesday when she spotted them along the service road of I-10 East, just west of Beltway 8.
“As I was driving, I smell like death,” Lara told KHOU 11 on Friday.
She was horrified to discover the dogs piled inside a plastic bin and partially covered by pillows and blankets.
“It was really bad, and just stacked on top of each other like they were nothing,” Lara recalled. “Why and how did the dogs end up like that?”
While collecting photo and video evidence, Lara made another startling discovery—four live puppies hiding nearby.
“The next thing you know, four puppies come out from like that area over there. And I was like, ‘Well, dang, I need to like, get these puppies also rescued.’”
Houston SPCA and Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen’s Office were alerted and they sent animal cruelty investigators to the scene. They rescued the four dogs and they’re now being cared for at the SPCA.
The remains of the dogs found dead are being examined to determine how they died.
Dr. Roberta Westbrook with the Houston SPCA called the case “shocking.”
“To see that number of dogs in that condition with that level of decomposition it’s shocking to the eye and to the heart,” Westbrook told KHOU 11.
Westbrook said the deceased dogs appeared to be pit bull mixes and had been dead for some time. Investigators are working to determine how they died and whether they may have been used in illegal dog fighting.
She praised Lara’s quick thinking.
“Her actions helped save lives,” Westbrook said.
Lara is still wondering how someone could be so cruel to the animals she adores.
“Why did you do that? Because they’re dogs. I love dogs, so I’m going to do everything for the dogs,” Lara told us.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about the case to call Precinct 1 at 713-755-5200 or 713-869-7722. You can also contact the Houston SPCA at 713-869-7722 or online at HoustonSPCA.org.
Click here to report animal cruelty cases to the Houston SPCA.
The organization also has a 24-hour animal ambulance, if you see an injured or animal in distress, you can call 713-880-HELP.
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