Sherri Jo and Morris Berend

Animal Control Officer’s property raided 271 dogs rescued

Decatur, TX

July 17, 2006

 (photo’s courtesy of the SPCA of TX)  250 dogs, most of them Jack Russell or Rat terriers were rescued from crowded conditions at the 2500 block of Greenwood Road, rural home of an animal control officer employed by the City of Decatur, TX.

- See other photo’s below

The SPCA of Texas were called in to rescue the dogs.

Sherr Jo Beren, age 52 and her husband Morris age 58, were breeding Jack Russell terriers.  Conditions at the couple’s property violated state law that prohibits the cruel confinement of animals.  The Berends were living in a trailer, while their home was turned over to the dogs.  Several dogs were living in crates, wire cages and dog pens in the back yard.

Investigators found wall-to-wall urine and feces and in one room, there were a couple of dead puppies up on a shelf.

Berends has been a licensed animal control officer since December 2005.  The Berends had a breeding operation called Oak Grove Kennels and a website www.fantasticdogs.com which proclaims ethical breeding practices.  The website has since been removed from the internet.

The website read in part “NO puppy farms.  No inhumane treatment.  No profit before health and well-being.  YES to healthy, home-raised puppies looking for loving families to call their own”.

The SPCA, headquartered in Dallas, also has a facility in Collin County where the dogs will be bathed and given medical evaluations.  Meanwhile, a court in Wise County has ben asked to award custody of the dogs to the SPCA.  If the judge agrees to do that during the hearing, then the dogs will be spayed or neutered and will eventually become available for adoptions.  Several are being treated for skin issues and fleas.

        

          

          

(all photo’s courtesy of the SPCA of TX)

Update 7/26/06:

As long a Sherri Berend, 52, sticks to a deal worked out by attorneys, the Decatur Animal Control Officer will face no cruelty-to-animals charges in connection with the 271 dogs that were rescued from her home on July 17th.

The deal announced on Wednesday, July 26th, will allow the SPCA to adopt most of the rescued dogs. Others will go to their owners, Wise County or Berend’s friends and family. Berend is allowed to keep her own dog, Megan, but must undergo counseling for a compulsion to collect dogs. Sgt. Debbie Denney, a spokeswoman for the Wise County Sheriff’s Department, stated that Berend is not supposed to have more than seven dogs at any given time. She was given two years to follow through with the recommendations, with the possibility of charges being filed if she does not comply.

Sheriff’s investigators began looking into Berend’s property after receiving complaints in March. The Wise County Animal Control Officer worked with Berend for two months, but improvements at her home did not happen quickly enough. Officials stated that the dogs were crowded into pens, a storage building and a travel trailer on Berend’s 90-acre property in Decatur.

Approximately 50 dogs are expected to be available for adoption August 4th at the SPCA’s McKinney Shelter.

Update 8/2/06:

100 of the 271 dogs seized will be available for adoption as of 8/4/06. 1 dog known as Megan was ordered spayed and returned to Berends. 13 others were spayed and neutered and are being held by the Wide County, under protective custody for up to 90 days at Berend's expense and then returned to Berend's pending the approval of a mental health professional and the Wise County authorities. 10 dogs were returned to 5 original owners. Berend's is subject to unannounced visits to her proberty for up to 2 years. If Berend's doesn't comply, she could be charged with criminal animal cruelty.

No restitution was ordered in the Berend case, so the entire expense of caring for and rehabilitation the remaining dogs is on the SPCA. The estimated cost is $35,000 which includes housing, food, water vaccines, de-worming , flea dips, microchips and veterinary fees. The SPCA hopes public donations will help pay these expenses. Donations can be made through the Rescue & Investigations department at 1-888-animals, ext 128, by email at spca@spca.org or on the web at http://www.spca.org/rescue.

Reference:

Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

SPCA of Texas

Wise County Messenger