Numerous Cats, Dogs Starving, Dead: Arrest Of Shelter Owners

For tragic and gruesome animal stories, this is one of the worst.

Twenty dogs and two cats were found dead after a Summerdale, Alabama, police officer arrived at Purple Hearted Puppies animal shelter on Thursday night in response to a neighbor’s complaint. Inside, police found dogs and cats left without food in cages for weeks, Sonja Presley, executive director of the Baldwin County Humane Society, said today at the site.

Starving Dogs Turned To Dog Cannibalism

From al.com:

About 50 cats were found in cages inside the house. Two of the cats were dead. Two horses found on the property could not be saved and were put to death, Presley said.

“It’s voluminous and it’s taking all the rescue groups and veterinary clinics to collaborate. No one has ever seen this magnitude of animal cruelty in Baldwin County.”

Some of the dog carcasses had been eaten by other starving dogs, Presley said.

“It was survival,” she said. “They cannibalized the other dogs.”

Police found cases of pet food and other supplies at the site.

Owners Skipped Town More Than 10 Days Ago

Outside in a shed, police scrambled to save the lives of dozens of starving cats. Officers poured food into the cages as fast as they could. The owners skipped town more than 10 days ago, leaving the animals to fend for themselves.

This is the same scenario that Care2 reported on last fall, when police discovered the corpses of 25 horses rotting in a “sanctuary” in California. Or again, in Texas, where starving horses had been abandoned by their owners.

What makes people treat animals in this way?

More Horror

But there’s even more to the horrific Alabama story.

Aside from the hundreds of animals found abandoned at the Summerdale animal shelter, more starving dogs and cats were found at a home in Robertsdale, Alabama.

From al.com:

As veterinarians, animal shelter staffers and police tended dogs at the scene where more than 200 neglected dogs, cats, horses and poultry were found, officials received word that another two dozen untended animals had been found at the owners’ home in Robertsdale.

Roberta Dueitt and her daughter, Sharon Dueitt, were arrested Thursday and charged with 20 counts of cruelty to animals, Summerdale Police Chief Eddie Ingram said. The two were released from the Foley city jail on $10,000 bail. Ingram said police are looking for a third suspect and other charges could be filed against the Dueitts.

Please Help!

For any of you Care2 activists who live anywhere near Summerdale: if you’d like to adopt one of these precious animals, please do so. For people wanting to help but unable to take in a dog or a cat, police are asking for pet food donations, blankets, kennels- any kind of pet supplies. Contact the Summerdale Police Department for more information.

Here’s a video of this tragic story, but be warned: it contains graphic images of dead and starving animals.

Starving Horses Abandoned By Owners

Why We Will Boycott “The Grey”

Photo Credit: Caroline Noel

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Muriel S.

8:25AM PDT on May 13, 2012

They should be sentenced to jail. If they only have to pay a fine, they can as well start again tomorrow.

send a green star

Martha E.

11:02PM PDT on May 12, 2012

JAIL TIME, not just fines and probation!!! I hope the authorities really get down on this.

lesley t.

12:12PM PST on Mar 1, 2012

I really think that there should be some sort of funing to pay for nuetering ferel cats and pets of low income families. I know people will say No! poor people should not have pets, but they will, myself included and it is better than having animal control pay for killing and disposing of animals isn't it? And all my animals have been homeless strays or cats and dogs that would have been killed if turned over to authorities.

Julia T.

2:22AM PST on Mar 1, 2012

I just cannot stand this.. I do not undrstand how anyone can harm or murder an animal and still live with themself.. I want to save all animals, fish, and birds in the world and no matter how many petitions I sign, and the little money I have to donate is not good enough.. Not only does breeding need to be done compoletely, and spay and neutering for free for people, but children must learn to be kind to animals in school from kindergarden onward.. Not to mention that stricter rules must be given and harsher penalties, under federal laws of all countries.. Enough is enough!!!!!

Annmari L.

10:35AM PST on Feb 26, 2012

Too many people can start a sanctuary or shelter without any knowledge of how much work, effort and money that goes into it. We need to have laws that require a license to operate any of these facilities and education and training should be mandatory. As long as irresponsible breeders keep flooding the world with animals that noone will care for (or just have around while they are young and cute), we will need to have safe places for all these unwanted animals. Demand that your local authoroties keep checking animals shelters and sanctuaries and make sure your representatives fix the laws to protect animals from cruel and/or indifferent people!

Jamie C.

1:07PM PST on Feb 22, 2012

Think you are "rescuing" a pet by taking it to a shelter? Guess again. it is a death sentence.

Debbie C.

9:09AM PST on Feb 16, 2012

I am glad they made these counts against these women Felonies now. They said each Felony could be 5 years in jail. The video said it was 40 counts. 40 times 5 equals 200 years for each of them. I sure hope this doesn't fall through the cracks and they Do get the time in jail. The positively deserve it.
I am praying for the animals they got out of there.
Rest in Peace little ones who did not make it out.

Carolyn F.

2:00PM PST on Feb 14, 2012

wish we could turn them over to that Sheriff in Arizona - bet he could teach them a thing or two!!

Jackie A.

4:27AM PST on Feb 13, 2012

Of course the should be punished, that's a silly question :-(