Published: June 26, 2008 04:55 pm      

Deputies seize 36 pit bulls

A man working a location near the 3900 block of Reese Drive in Venus on Monday alerted Johnson County Sheriff’s Office deputies after he saw several dogs tied up in a backyard that appeared to be in distress.

Deputy Bradley Elkins responded to the location at 11:57 a.m. where, walking to the back of the residence, he observed eight pit bull mix dogs. The dogs appeared malnourished and very skinny with their ribs and vertebrae protruding against their skin, according to sheriff’s office reports.

Elkins noted the dogs had scars on their bodies and were chained with large chains to truck axles, which had been driven into the ground. Some dogs appeared to be in the beginning stages of mange. Their drinking water was green in color, appeared to have algae in it and was stagnant, Elkins said.

Elkins also noted a strong odor of animal feces, as the area had not been cleaned, and the smell of decaying animal.

Elkins said he heard other dogs further back in the property but could not see them because of high grass, weeds and sunflowers. Through further investigation, Elkins and Cpl. Ken Bartlett located a German shepherd dog mix, which was in the same condition as the others.

Detectives Steve Shaw and G.E. Bennett joined the search and located three more pit bull mix dogs, also in malnourished condition.

Shaw noted that the height of the grass and weeds prevented any natural cooling for the dogs as it allowed virtually no wind current where they were chained.

Deputies obtained a warrant for seizure of the dogs and returned with employees of the Humane Society of North Texas. They retrieved 36 live but malnourished dogs and four deceased dogs. Officials transported the dogs to the Humane Society’s shelter in Fort Worth.

The incident remains under investigation, and no arrests or charges have been made, said Cpl. Pam Jetsel with the sheriff’s office.