Hopkins County officials Thursday charged the owners of a home north of Sulphur Springs with animal cruelty.
The SPCA of Texas says officials found 50 live and another 42 dead animals at a home off FM 22-85. The dead animals included puppies, grown dogs, rabbits, birds, and a rat found wrapped in plastic in a freezer. Most of the surviving animals were dogs and puppies. There was also one rabbit and one gecko.
The SPCA says most of the animals were kept in cages or locked rooms, living in their own feces and urine. The agency is treating the animals taken from the property for several health issues, including hair loss.
Because animal cruelty is a misdemeanor in Texas, the names of those charged were not yet released. The living dogs were taken to an SPCA location for care.
