Humane Society of Missouri rescues 101 Dogs & Cats from Horrific Hoarding Situation in Bates County

Animals in dilapidated, waste-filled house and filthy, overcrowded outdoor crates; more than 50 dogs and cats rescued in 2011 by the Humane Society of Missouri from same owner Late last night, the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force (ACT) rescued 84 dogs and 17 cats from filthy, unsafe living conditions on a property in Bates County in western Missouri.

“These animals were forced to live in truly squalid conditions, the worst I have encountered in more than 40 years of rescuing animals from abuse and neglect,” said Debbie Hill, vice president of operations, Humane Society of Missouri.

The majority of the dogs and cats were living inside a waste-filled, trash-strewn, dilapidated small house. Many were in crates with so many layers of feces- and urine-saturated newspaper, the animals had no room to stand. Crates with animals in them were stacked on top of each other; others were outdoors, filled with animal waste and with little to no protection from the weather. Some single-dog crates contained two or three dogs. There was no running water on the property, and the majority of the animals didn’t have access to water. The dogs are small, medium and large breeds, ranging in age from nursing puppies to mature, adult dogs; the cats are all adults of mixed breeds.

A concerned citizen contacted the Humane Society of Missouri and the Bates County Sheriff’s Office about living conditions for the animals. Both agencies visited the property but were only allowed to view a few of the animals and were not given access to areas in which the animals were living. Recommendations for proper animal care were given to the owner. Conditions did not improve, and thanks to the quick action of the Bates County Sheriff’s Office, a warrant was obtained to inspect the property and remove animals as necessary. The Sheriff’s office requested the Humane Society of Missouri’s assistance in removing, transporting and sheltering the animals. A disposition hearing to determine permanent custody of the animals will be held Jan. 2, 2018, at the Bates County Court House in Butler, Missouri.

The dogs and cats were transported to Humane Society of Missouri headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri late Wednesday night. Veterinary triage of the animals will take place at Humane Society of Missouri headquarters on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 10:30 a.m.

In 2011, more than 50 dogs were rescued by the Humane Society of Missouri from the same property under a warrant obtained by the Bates County Sheriff’s Office.

“With frigid weather coming very soon, it’s imperative to bring these suffering animals to warmth and safety immediately,” said Kathy Warnick, president, Humane Society of Missouri. “As is typical in hoarding situations, persons allowed to continue to own animals often continue to collect them. We will provide an extensive report of our findings to the Bates County Prosecutor and recommend prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. The only way to protect animals from these horrific, dangerous conditions in the future is to prevent this person from possessing additional animals.”

To aid in their socialization and recovery, the Humane Society of Missouri is requesting donations of dog and cat toys, long-cut shredded paper, newspapers, towels, blankets and sheets. Donations may be dropped off at the Humane Society of Missouri’s Macklind Ave. Adoption Center, 1201 Macklind Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110. Monetary donations to provide for the animals’ care may be made at www.hsmo.org or by calling 314-951-1542.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
Triage of the rescued dogs and cats: Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. Humane Society of Missouri Headquarters – 1201 Macklind Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110 Back of Building – Entrance off of Wise Avenue

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES
Debbie Hill, vice president of operations, Humane Society of Missouri, Dr. Mark Wright, director of shelter medicine, Humane Society of Missouri, Kathy Warnick, president, Humane Society of Missouri

About the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force. The Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force (ACT) is one of the largest animal rescue/disaster response teams in the United States. For more than 40 years, ACT has worked side by side with state, local and city law enforcement officials to investigate and help prosecute animal abusers.

Annually, Humane Society of Missouri’s 15 field-tested, professional animal cruelty investigators and staff:
Aid more than 28,500 animals  Make nearly 9,000 responses to reports of abuse/neglect  Travel more than 373,000 miles.

Humane Society of Missouri’s animal cruelty investigators understand the nuances of animal abuse law and the criminal justice process for documenting and filing evidence and work directly with sheriff’s offices, police departments and prosecuting attorneys to help ensure animal cases are handled in an expedient and professional manner. Humane Society of Missouri investigators also provide expert testimony in legal cases and before legislative bodies and provide consultation and training workshops for law enforcement, state agencies and local animal care and control workers.

Together, they work to hold people accountable for the abuse and neglect of animals in the St. Louis Metropolitan region and all of Missouri.

Contact Information for the Public
Report Animal Abuse: 314-647-4400
Donations: 314-951-1542
Humane Society of Missouri website: www.hsmo.org
Longmeadow Rescue Ranch website: www.longmeadowrescueranch.org

BCSO and Family Care Clinic toy drive

The Family Care Clinics teamed up with the Bates County Sheriff’s Office for a toy drive to benefit children in Bates County. 

Drop boxes were set up at Family Care Clinics in Butler, Adrian and Rich Hill to collect toys. 

Deputies from the Bates County Sheriff’s Office will be passing out the toys this week to children in need.

Sheriff Chad Anderson would like to thank everyone who donated toys for this toy drive. Your donations will help make Christmas a little brighter this year for many children.

Welcome back cold weather

2017 WEMO Conference Champions Lady Blackhawks

From the Barton County Sheriff's Office

On 12-20-2017 the Barton County Sheriff's Office received a 9-1-1 call of a domestic disturbance going on inside a vehicle which was driving westbound on 12th Street in Lamar. It was reported that a female passenger in the vehicle was striking a male in the backseat of the vehicle. Sheriff Mitchell Shaw observed the vehicle and turned around on it to conduct a traffic stop. 

The vehicle exited off 160 highway and got onto southbound I-49. As Sheriff Shaw was attempting to stop the vehicle the female subject seated in the front passenger seat was actively striking a male subject in the back seat of the vehicle. When the vehicle came to a stop the female was removed from the vehicle and placed into handcuffs. 

Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Arty Torbeck arrived on scene and assisted with the male party. Additional officers with of the Lamar Poice Department and deputies of the sheriff's office arrived to assist in the investigation. A investigation was conducted into the altercation that took place inside the vehicle. 

The allegations in the case are that the male party pulled the female's hair and grabbed her arm and the female party struck the male subject. At the time of the female striking at the male she struck her three-year-old daughter and caused an injury to her. Both parties had been consuming an alcoholic beverage at the time of the altercation . 

At the conclusion of the investigation two parties were arrested on charges of domestic assault and endangering the welfare of a child. A white male, age 38, of Golden City was arrested for domestic assault. A 27 year of age white female from Golden City was arrested on domestic assault charges and endangering the welfare of a child. Both parties were placed on 24-hour holds for investigation. 

The reports will be forwarded over to the Barton County Prosecuting Attorney Steven Kaderly for consideration in filing a formal criminal charges against the two.

City of Butler lighting contest

A lot of beautiful Christmas lights in the City of Butler Missouri! Congratulations to the top 3 winners of the lighting contest!

1st Place - John & Shelby Taylor, 1005 Ruby Ave
2nd Place - Jeramia & Jennifer Johnson, 9 Courtney Dr
3rd Place - Denny & Tammy Appleberry, 512 N. Main

Thank you to all helping this town shine bright this Christmas season!

1st Place - John & Shelby Taylor, 1005 Ruby Ave

2nd Place - Jeramia & Jennifer Johnson, 9 Courtney Dr

3rd Place - Denny & Tammy Appleberry, 512 N. Main

Obituary - Gene Lockard

Gene Lockard, age 80 of Butler, Missouri passed away December 19, 2017 in Butler.

Memorial services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, December 30, 2017 at the Mullinax Funeral Home (660-679-0009) in Butler with Greg Mullinax officiating.

Visitation will be prior to services from 1-2 PM at Mullinax Funeral Home. 

Memorial contributions are suggested to Diabetes Association, Alzheimer’s Association, or American Cancer Society. Messages and memories for the family may be left at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Gene was born on July 28, 1937 in Bates County, Missouri, the son of Lee Lockard and Faye Lockard Blankenship. He went to school in Adrian and graduated with the class of 1955. He married Sue Ellen Morris on January 26, 1962. To this union three sons were born: Bill, Alan, and Dwayne Lockard.

Gene in his younger years enjoyed stock car racing and time with his racing buddies. He started working for Bill's Furnace Shop after graduating high school and later became partners with Ivan Dodds and Arnold Hannah. He later became the sole owner of Bates County Heating and Cooling, Butler, MO. He was a long-time member of the Butler Optimist Club. He was an avid Nascar fan and enjoyed watching the races each weekend. He enjoyed spending time at the lake with his family and friends over the years. Gene always looked forward to cooking the susies for the fish fry's at the lake, where he enjoyed fishing and being with his lake buddies. He also enjoyed working on anything in the garage and took pride in keeping his yard neatly mowed and spending as much time outside as he could. Another favorite of Gene's was eating about anything anyone would cook for him. He was a big on having snacks and enjoying a cold glass of iced tea. Gene will be sadly missed by his family and many friends in Butler and at the lake.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Virgil Dale Lockard, and one son, Bill Lockard. Survivors include: Sue Lockard, wife of the home; one sister, Judy (Bob) Schnoebelen, and one sister-in-law, Ruby Lockard. Sons, Alan (Christy) Lockard and Dwayne (Lona) Lockard both of Butler, MO. Grandchildren: Chris Dodson, Butler, MO, Michelle (Cliff) Psomas, Nevada, MO, Kimberly Lockard, Clinton, MO, Adam Lockard, Kansas City, MO, Anna Lockard, Garden City, MO, Jeffery (Stephanie) Lockard, Butler, MO, Christapher Lockard, Butler, MO, Ryan Lockard, Garden City, MO, and Taylor Lockard, Butler, MO. Great-grandchildren: Caitlynn and Christian Dodson, Butler, MO, Kamden Lockard, Clinton, MO, Cole Psomas, Nevada, MO, and Lucas Lockard, Butler, MO. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

From On Time Disposal