In the News

Humane Society of Missouri Rescues 253 Animals from Howell County Property

June 13, 2007

Humane Society of Missouri rescues largest number of animals in the history of its Longmeadow Rescue Ranch

Humane Society of Missouri rescued 253 animals living in poor conditions on a property in Pomona, Missouri.

Working in cooperation with the Howell County Sheriff’s Department, yesterday the Humane Society of Missouri rescued 253 animals living in poor conditions on a property in Pomona, Missouri. Despite several attempts to educate the owner on the appropriate care and sanitation conditions for the animals, additional animals had been acquired and conditions remained poor as of Friday, June 8. The Howell County Sheriff’s Department then issued a warrant that was served to remove the animals early Tuesday morning, June 12, 2007.

The Humane Society rescue team consisted of six experienced animal rescue professionals, two experienced animal handlers, two veterinarians, and three support staff. Among the animals rescued from the property were: 5 horses, 61 goats, 53 ducks including numerous ducklings, 99 chickens including numerous chicks, 11 turkeys, 5 dogs, 1 cat, 8 exotic birds and 10 doves. Tim Rickey, Director of Rescues and Investigations for the Humane Society of Missouri stated, “We found more than 250 animals living in overcrowded and unsanitary environments with either inadequate or no food, water, shelter and medical attention.

Rickey and the team observed that chickens, ducks, doves and exotic birds were in small overcrowded cages or pens with several inches of feces and rain water in the cages. Sick and injured goats were locked in stock trailers without adequate food, water or medical attention. About fifty goats were kept in a small penned area covered with debris such as broken glass and jagged, rusty metal with little vegetation and no water. Some goats were jumping over the pen and roaming near a busy highway looking for food and water. The exotic birds and some chicks were kept in cages stacked inside the cluttered residence. Also on the property were five thin horses without adequate food, water or shelter. Two had injuries requiring veterinary care.

Two hundred and twenty-nine of the animals were taken to the Humane Society’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch for triage. The doves, cat, birds and dogs were taken to the Humane Society’s St. Louis City Headquarters on Macklind Avenue for triage. The animals are receiving expert veterinary medical care and attention from Longmeadow and Humane Society staff. The animals will remain in the custody of the Humane Society of Missouri until the June 18 disposition hearing in Howell County.

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For last year's news stories, click here. For information on previous rescues,
read our Rescue Diaries.