19 animals rescued from Cypress-area garage, including alligator, puppies, turtle, Houston SPCA says
HSPCA said investigators discovered the animals confined in "sweltering heat."
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- The Houston SPCA shared on Wednesday that 19 animals, including an alligator, a turtle, and several puppies, were rescued from a garage of a Cypress-area home.
According to the Houston SPCA, its animal cruelty investigators, along with officials from the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable's Office, discovered that 17 dogs were living in rusty cages with feces and urine inside the garage. Officials said the dogs included multiple French bulldogs and several large dogs, including a mother with puppies.
Investigators said they also found an American alligator and an Albino Red-Eared Slider turtle kept in "unhealthy living conditions" inside the garage.
The Houston SPCA explained that extreme heat can quickly become dangerous for animals trapped in enclosed spaces without proper ventilation and relief from the heat. This can be especially dangerous for short-nosed dog breeds, like French bulldogs, because their anatomy makes it harder for them to cool themselves, experts said.
Officials said the 19 animals were rescued from the property and an animal cruelty investigation is underway. Authorities did not reveal whether anyone has been charged in this incident.
