Deputies in Wagoner County, Oklahoma, rescued 100 animals from a single property in a two-day operation last week, after a months-long investigation into suspected neglect. The animals, which included dogs, cats, horses, cattle, goats, chickens, ducks and a turkey, were removed on November 5 and 6 following reports about their living conditions.
Deputies executed a search warrant in the Lakecrest area on November 5 and removed 89 animals on the first day. They ran out of transport space and had to return with a second warrant on November 6 to collect the remaining 11 dogs, bringing the total to 100. The Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office announced the rescue in a Facebook post on November 9, and local rescue groups are now helping to care for the animals and arrange placements.
What happens next
The sheriff’s office said it was submitting potential criminal charges to the Wagoner County District Attorney’s Office for review. No arrests have been announced and no charges have yet been filed. According to the sheriff’s office, the owner of the property was given several chances to remedy the situation but was unable to provide the animals with the proper care they needed. Sheriff Chris Elliott said investigators found urine and faeces throughout the home, and some of the animals appeared sick or malnourished.
Wagoner County has no countywide animal control department, so sheriff’s deputies handle neglect cases on top of their regular duties. The case has prompted calls for the county to establish dedicated animal control, with a petition demanding accountability gathering support online.
Rescues step in
The sheriff’s office activated its Badges and Paws programme to coordinate the response. Partners include Oklahoma Alliance for Animals, Tulsa SPCA and Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue, which took in dozens of severely malnourished horses and is asking the community for help with veterinary bills that run about $300 per horse. The rescue said the horses were kept in makeshift pens, some with no access to sunlight, and staff are working to restore their health after what the organisation’s founder described as deplorable conditions.
Not all of the 100 animals will be available for adoption, and rescue groups will decide which animals are eligible and when they can be placed. For now, the focus is on medical care, food and rest for animals that spent months in poor conditions. See Second Tulsa rescue owner arrested in animal cruelty case and Fugitive cows Bessie and Clyde caught after 5-day chase.
