St. Charles County Department of Community
Health & The Environment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, March 1, 2002

CONTACTS:
Scott Green, Acting Director - Division of Humane Services (636) 949-7347
Gil Copley, Director - Community Health & the Environment (636) 949-7477

St. Charles County Seizes Neglected Animals
Division of Humane Services Holding 38 Dogs and 11 Cats

St. Charles County - On February 28, the St. Charles County Division of Humane Services, working with the St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, obtained a search warrant and court order allowing seizure of any abused and neglected animals at a home in northern St. Charles County. Animal control officers from the Division of Humane Services and deputies from the St. Charles County Sheriff's Department seized 38 dogs and 11 cats at the property, all showing signs of neglect. The City of St. Peters Animal Control program, which operates out of the St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center, also provided two animal control officers and vehicles to assist in seizing and transporting the animals.

The Division of Humane Services, working with the Prosecuting Attorney's office took action to seize the animals based on State of Missouri Statutes on animal abuse and neglect due to the owner's failure to provide adequate care, food, shelter, water and veterinary care necessary to maintain good health. The decision of whether or not charges are filed will be made by the Prosecuting Attorney's office.

The animals are being evaluated and treated at the St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center for any diagnosed illness or injury including ulcerations, malnourishment, frostbite, mange and parasites. All animals are receiving vaccinations, antibiotics, worming, and heartworm checks and testing for feline leukemia as appropriate. If the owner voluntarily surrenders the animals to the county, any of the animals found suitable for adoption will be spayed or neutered, ID micro-chipped and put into the Pet Adoption Centers regular animal adoption program. Animals requiring a longer recovery period or animals with permanent disability will be put into the facility's TLC (tender loving care) adoption program.

"This is an example of a person who wanted to care for stray animals and who had the best of intentions when the animals were taken in," stated Scott Green, Acting Director of the Division of Humane Services. "Unfortunately, at some point the growing number of animals inevitably overwhelmed the ability of this person to provide adequate care and shelter. This strongly reinforces the importance of not trying to operate your own informal animal shelter. Instead, all citizens are urged to call upon county or city animal control professionals or a licensed humane organization when stray or unwanted pets are found."

The St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center provides sheltering and adopting animals, providing pet owner education, animal control services, and investigation of incidents involving animal cruelty and neglect. In 2001 the Center adopted out 1,094 dogs and 1,074 cats, all spayed or neutered, vaccinated and ID micro-chipped. In addition, 1,267 lost dogs and 127 lost cats were returned to their owners. The Division of Humane Services, under the Department of Community Health and the Environment, operates the Pet Adoption Center.

The Pet Adoption Center is located at 4850 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, three miles south of Highway 70 across from St. Charles County Community College. For further information, call 636-949-PETS (7387) or visit the Department of Community Health and the Environment website at www.scchealth.org.

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