In The News
More
than 200 Animals Rescued from Alleged Hoarder in Franklin
County
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Tuesday,
August 3, 2004
St. Louis, MO – The Franklin County Sheriff's
Department served a warrant this morning to a woman
in her 60s who was keeping more than 200 animals on
her 22-acre property in St. Clair, Missouri. The sheriff's
department, with the aid of the Humane Society of
Missouri, is rescuing the animals: more than 130 dogs,
two horses, a mule and nearly 100 cats. Humane Society
of Missouri investigators have also found bodies of
several dead animals.
Photos and information from an anonymous source led
the Humane Society of Missouri investigators to the
property where animals were being kept in the deplorable
conditions. The entire perimeter of the property is
lined with pens, with dogs in cages so small, some
cannot stand. Four of the five buildings on the property
are filled with animals in cages with floors covered
with feces, old food and garbage. Cat cages are stacked
four cages high. The area where the horses and mule
are kept is also filled with feces six inches deep
in some places. Investigators are finding dogs with
tumors as large as baseballs.
The
conditions on the property are making it difficult
for rescuers to get a visual of all the animals on
the property. In some places the weeds are 10 ft.
high. “The weeds are so overgrown that we can hear
dogs but we can't see them,” says Debbie Hill, director
of operations for the Humane Society of Missouri.
Snakes and rats are hampering rescue efforts even
further. “Our investigators have to be careful as
they canvass the property and rescue the animals.
Rats are literally running across our feet,” says
Hill.
The rescued dogs and cats will be taken to the Humane
Society of Missouri Headquarters in St. Louis where
they will receive immediate emergency medical attention
and ongoing care. The horses and mule will be taken
to the Humane Society of Missouri's Longmeadow Rescue
Ranch in Union. A disposition hearing is scheduled
for Wednesday, August 18 at 9 a.m. to determine if
the animals will be placed in the permanent custody
of the Humane Society of Missouri or returned to the
owner.
Ways you can help:
Please note: The Macklind Ave. Adoption Center
will be closed on Wednesday, August 4 so that staff
can tend to the 200+ new arrivals. Please visit our
Maryland Heights
Adoption Center and adopt your new best friend.
Wednesday, August 4, 2004
This morning, the 115 dogs and 83 cats awoke
in the care of Humane Society of Missouri staff in
St. Louis and Maryland Heights. The rescued farm animals
– two horses, a donkey, a duck, a goose and a guinea
fowl– are recovering at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in
Union.
Yesterday's emergency triage care included fluids
to fight dehydration. Today the rescued animals are
receiving detailed veterinary examinations so that
individual treatment plans can be prescribed. Treatment
often includes shaving the animals to remove overgrown
matted fur, allowing tumors and skin problems to become
visible.
In general, Dr. Mark Wright is observing health conditions
that could have been prevented had the dogs and cats
been properly cared for – conditions such as worms
and other internal parasites, external parasites such
as fleas and ticks, ear infections, dental disease
and overgrown nails. “We have many geriatric dogs
with cancer and many suffering from chronic arthritis
pain,” reports Dr. Wright.
Thursday, August 5, 2004
Dr. Wright reports that the rescued animals are already
improving. The pets received flea and tick medicine
which is causing dead fleas to fall off by the hundreds.
The senior dogs have been given pain medication for
their arthritis. Wounds have been cleaned, antibiotics
have been given to the pets with infections and everyone
has been vaccinated. Bathing will begin soon!
Thank you to everyone who has sent donations of towels,
blankets, newspaper, money and good wishes! You are
helping the rescued animals to rest comfortably and
they appreciate you.
Thanks also to everyone who has brought lunch, dinner
and snacks to the staff and volunteers who have been
working extra-long days this week.
Friday, August 6, 2004
Bath time! It feels good to be clean. 
It takes a lot of towels to bathe 115 dogs, so we
are very thankful for your donations!
Speaking of donations, we are running low on cardboard
flats from soda or canned food cases. We use the flats
as disposable litter boxes and need more for the 83
new arrivals as well as for the cats waiting to be
adopted. Thanks in advance!
Your family tree could use a pet. Please adopt a dog
or cat (or two) this weekend.
Monday, August 9, 2004
Thank you St. Louis area pet lovers!
Our thanks continue to go to everyone who has helped
the rescued dogs and cats. When everyone gives a little,
together it helps a lot!
Long-time Humane Society of Missouri
friend Faye Beth O'Byrne (right) stuffed dozens of
Kongs with peanut butter so that the rescued dogs
could have a treat.
Despite there not being any Shetland Sheepdogs among
the rescued dogs, Sheltie Rescue volunteers Janice
Mitchell and Steven Bott (left) shaved matted dogs
in preparation for baths. As of Monday, Janice has
volunteered more than 20 hours grooming the dogs.
We have a few more items we would like to add to our
wish list:
- Puppy “piddle” pads in large sizes
- Dog toys for the active dogs
- Children's stuffed animals to comfort the scared
dogs (We'll remove any parts that could be swallowed.)
- Canned senior dog food
- Treats for the dogs and cats
- Flats to be used as disposable litter boxes
Thank you!
Fifty-five Additional Animals Rescued From New Location,
Same Alleged Hoarder
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
More Animals Arrive!
Just
when staff and volunteers were beginning to get a
handle on caring for the sudden influx of 200 pets
in addition to the pets available for adoption, an
additional 55 pets from the same alleged hoarder are
rescued from an apartment in Union, Missouri.
Continuing their investigation over the weekend,
the Union Police Department located a second location
for the woman involved in the alleged hoarding situation
on August 3 where 204 animals were rescued by the
Humane Society of Missouri from a 22-acre property
in St. Clair, Missouri.
Upon
investigating her residence at an apartment complex
in Union, officials found Probable Cause to secure
a second search warrant. Officer Kevin Anderson of
the Union Police Department served the warrant Monday
afternoon. Once inside the one-bedroom apartment,
Humane Society of Missouri investigators and local
police encountered 55 pets in carriers stacked floor-to-ceiling
and an overpowering stench. Union police officers
requested that the Humane Society of Missouri rescue
the 54 cats and one dog found inside.
The
pets were brought to the Humane Society of Missouri
in St. Louis. They received immediate medical attention
and will continue to receive ongoing care.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
It's
been a week since the first batch of 204 animals arrived
and initial doses of medications were given. Today
204 pair of ears and eyes began to get re-examined
to gauge the progress of the treatment. 
Thank you for the donated doggy sweaters! Some of
the dogs are cold because they needed to be shaved
before being bathed. Other dogs are cold because they
are elderly.
We
asked for donations of cardboard flats to be used
as litterboxes and you delivered! Thank you!
These animals were in desperate need of medical attention,
sanitary living conditions clean water and wholesome
food. In addition to those basic needs, the rescued
pets are sleeping in clean, comfortable beds and receiving
- possibly for the first time - a gentle, loving touch
from humans. We think they're happy.
Thursday,
August 12, 2004
Some of the pets have come out of their shell
and are anxious to be with people. 
Others are still wary of their rescuers.
A shy Husky (right) doesn't know what
to make of the new blanket and stuffed toy being given
to him by a volunteer. The Husky is without his right
eye; we do not know when or how the eye was injured.
The
cleaning continues.
Dogs are bathed and kennels are power-washed.
Friday,
August 13, 2004
Everyone
is enjoying their donated linens!
Until custody of the animals is determined at the
disposition hearings, all of the rescued animals are
considered evidence in open court cases. Since most
police stations and sheriff departments are not equipped
to house animals (let alone 260 of them), the pets
are being cared for at the Humane Society of Missouri
facilities at the request of the Franklin County sheriff's
department.
Because
they are considered evidence, the animals are not
permitted to leave the building; however, that doesn't
stop our volunteers from taking the dogs on daily
indoor walks. The dogs were discovered confined to
filthy cages but now enjoy stretching their legs during
their "outings."
Monday, August 16, 2004
Upon arriving to the Franklin County Court
House for today's disposition hearing, Humane Society
of Missouri Investigator Earlene Cole, Investigator
Brett Huff and Dr. Donald Bridges learned that the
dates of the hearings had been postponed.
The disposition hearing to determine if the second
group of rescued pets will be awarded to the Humane
Society of Missouri or returned to the owner is now
scheduled for Thursday, August 19, 2004. The disposition
hearing for the initial group of 204 animals is scheduled
for Friday, August 20, 2004.
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
So many animals were rescued that they are
being cared for at all three of the Humane Society
of Missouri's locations: the farm animals are recuperating
at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch while the dogs and cats
recover at the St. Louis and Maryland Heights facilities.
Maryland Heights volunteers spend
some quality "tubby time" with the rescued
dogs.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
The donations for the rescued animals keep
coming in from the kind people and businesses of the
St. Louis area and we can't thank you enough!
We truly appreciate the Petsmart stores in Manchester
and Sunset Hills which donated a combined total of
50 pet beds and dozens of badly-needed grooming supplies
such as scissors, brushes and nail clippers. The animals
send their thanks!
Friday,
August 20, 2004
Owner Surrenders Animals to Humane Society of Missouri
The Humane Society of Missouri has received
custody of all of the animals recently rescued from
Franklin County, Missouri. The owner involved in the
incident, Gloria Sutter, surrendered the animals before
a disposition hearing was held. Currently the animals
are receiving medical care and one-on-one attention
from the Humane Society of Missouri staff and volunteers.
The total cost of caring for the animals has already
exceeded $80,000.
"We are relieved that the animals have been
surrendered and that none of them will have to return
to their previous living conditions,” says Kathy Warnick,
President of the Humane Society of Missouri. “That
means that, as they return to good health and become
more socialized, they will be put up for adoption.”
The remaining challenge is to ensure that this situation
never happens again. The Humane Society of Missouri
will advocate to the Franklin County prosecuting attorney,
Robert E. Parks, that the individual not be allowed
any future interactions with animals. Charges are
currently pending against Sutter; the prosecuting
attorney's office will determine if any charges will
be filed.
Tuesday,
August 24, 2004
Now that the Humane Society of Missouri has
received custody of the rescued animals, the dogs
are able to go on walks outside the buildings, enjoy
the sunshine and happily sniff about.
Since most of the dogs were discovered living in
tiny, filthy cages, it is not unexpected that some
of them are not housetrained. However, the volunteer
dog walkers are surprised and happy to report that
many of the rescued dogs are housetrained and will
wait until they get outside to relieve themselves.
Thursday, August 26, 2004
More "walkies" for the rescued
dogs.
Friday, August 27, 2004
ALMOST READY FOR ADOPTION!
Until the Franklin County Court decided who
would receive custody of the rescued animals, all
that the Humane Society of Missouri could do was make
the pets comfortable during their stay. However, since
the Humane Society of Missouri received custody on
August 20, the pets can be made ready for adoption!
A lot has been happening. The pets will
continue to receive medical treatments. Walking, socializing,
bathing and grooming will also continue.
Our
surgery suites are busy with the dogs and cats receiving
spay or neuter surgeries.
Many of the pets needed a visit with the dentist.
Everyone is helping the rescued animals
get ready for their big adoption event:
FRANKLIN COUNTY RESCUED PETS
ADOPTION EVENT
Thursday , September 2, 2004 - Noon
until 7 p.m.
Humane Society of Missouri , 1201
Macklind Avenue in St. Louis
Humane Society of Missouri veterinarians, adoption
center staff and behavior/training professionals will
be available to answer questions. Rescued animals
will continue to be available for adoption after Sept.
2, 2004.
Most of the dogs are mixed breeds, medium to large
in size. The cats generally are short-haired and long-haired
domestics.
Regular adoption fees of $85 for dogs, $75 for kittens
and $65 for adult cats will apply. Fees include spay
or neuter surgery and an initial battery of vaccinations.
Booster shots and annual veterinarian visits are required
and are adopter's financial responsibility.
Please remember that these animals were rescued
from a neglectful situation and have never been traditional
pets. Great care will be taken to place these special-needs
animals in patient and understanding households.
To
adopt the rescued pony, mule, Guinea fowl or duck
recuperating at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch, please contact
the ranch at (636) 583-8759 or via
e-mail and request an adoption application
Monday, August 30, 2004
Charges Filed
A Franklin County grand jury has charged Gloria Sutter
of Union (from whom these 260 animals were rescued)
with six counts of misdemeanor animal abuse and two
counts of failure to dispose of a dead animal. Sutter's
bond will be set for $5,000 once she surrenders herself
to Franklin County authorities.
It is expected that the cost of rescuing and rehabilitating
these pets will exceed $100,000. To make a financial
donation to offset this cost, please call (314) 951-1542
or donate
securely online. Thank you.
Thursday, September 2, 2004
Going Home!
After a month of rehabilitation, the rescued
dogs and cats are being adopted.
Wednesday, September
29, 2004
Some Rescued Pets Still Waiting for Homes
It's been nearly a month since the dogs and
cats rescued from Franklin County had their big adoption
day. Many pets found homes that day but some are still
waiting to meet their match. Visit our Featured
Pets page or meet them in person at 1201 Macklind
Avenue in St. Louis to see if one of these pets is
right for you.
Thursday, October 21, 2004
Alleged Hoarder Sentenced
Gloria Sutter entered an Alford plea on six counts
of animal abuse and two counts of failure to properly
dispose of a dead animal, stemming from the Humane
Society of Missouri's rescue of more than 250 animals
from her properties in Franklin County in August.
In an Alford plea, the defendant does not admit to
the act but admits that the prosecution could likely
present sufficient evidence to secure a conviction.
Judge Cynthia Eckelkamp sentenced Sutter to a suspended
jail time of 180 days and two years supervised probation.
The judge also imposed the maximum fine of $8,000
and ordered Sutter to pay court costs. The sentence
also mandates that Sutter may not own, harbor or
live with any animals and that she receive mandatory
counseling with an expert in hoarding.
Caring for homeless pets is an exhausting
job filled with good days and bad. This particular
rescue has been exceptionally draining - both physically
and emotionally - on staff and volunteers. Everyone
at the Humane Society of Missouri
is so very grateful to
the community for your support during this extraordinary
time. Thank you!
As always, if this website is reaching you outside
the St. Louis area, please remember the animals, staff
and volunteers at your nearest animal shelter.
Click for ways to help homeless
pets.
Click
for our Wish List
These rescued pets were removed from an alleged hoarder.
What is "animal hoarding?" Read
what researchers at Tufts University say.
