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Dog from Commerce Animal Shelter awarded to SPCA of Texas

Benny Ray Chambliss, Jr., represented the Commerce Animal Shelter at the Apr. 15 hearing at Hunt County Precinct 2 Court in Commerce. Commerce Animal Shelter did not contest the permanent transfer of custody of the dog seized on Apr. 9 to the SPCA of Texa
Mark Haslett
/
KETR

A Hunt County court has awarded permanent custody of a dog seized from the Commerce Animal Shelter to the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Texas.

The animal, described as a brindle-colored, adult, male, pit-bull mix, was taken from the shelter on Apr. 9 by SPCA of Texas staff, escorted by city and county law enforcement.

Benny Ray Chambliss, Jr., represented the Commerce Animal Shelter at the April 15 hearing in the Hunt County Precinct 2 Court in Commerce, with Justice of the Peace Jennifer Reeves presiding. Chambliss is an employee of the shelter, which is operated by the City of Commerce.

Chambliss did not contest the permanent transfer of custody to the SPCA of Texas, which did not seek restitution money from the Commerce Animal Shelter.

“It certain situations where a seizure has taken place, the SPCA gives the opportunity to give up the rights to the animal,” Assistant Hunt County Attorney Joe O’Neil said. “And as an incentive to do that, the SPCA offers to waive restitution in most cases, I wouldn’t say all cases. But we have decided to do that in this case.”

The SPCA of Texas cited medical neglect as cause for the seizure.

“It did have a laceration on its tail as well as lacerations to its feet and legs,” O’Neil said. “It was emaciated as well, showing signs of being underfed, very low body weight.”

O’Neil said that the failure of the dog’s condition to improve during a two-and-a-half week stay at the shelter inspired the SPCA of Texas to take the animal.

“(There were) 18 days from the time that the animal was received at the shelter until the day the SPCA took control of it,” O’Neil said. “There were also communications between the SPCA and the shelter regarding the condition of the dog, that the dog would require medical treatment,” O’Neil said.

Chambliss did not offer comment during or after the hearing.

SPCA of Texas veterinarian Dr. Terri Stevenson, who has been treating the animal, was present at the hearing.

“He’s doing great,” Stevenson said. “He’s a real nice dog. He should heal fine and, once he’s neutered, get a good home.”

Also present at the hearing were a county constable, a deputy county constable, and a Commerce police officer. The only member of the general public at the hearing was Monette Douglas of Commerce, who identified herself as being a member of the group No Kill Hunt County.

The SPCA of Texas investigation into the Commerce Animal Shelter remains active, spokeswoman Maura Davies said.

Mark Haslett has served at KETR since 2013. Since then, the station's news operation has enjoyed an increase in listener engagement and audience metrics, as well recognition in the Texas AP Broadcasters awards.