Latest news with #HumaneSocietyofMissouri
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Stockton inspection uncovers dead animals, neglected kennels
STOCKTON, Mo. — Charges are filed against a formerly licensed breeder in Cedar County. The Cedar County prosecutor filed 12 counts of animal abuse against 36-year-old Sarah Walborn of Stockton yesterday. Last month, the 'Humane Society of Missouri' rescued 42 dogs and 9 cats from a property in rural Stockton. Watch: Man gets 20th impaired driving arrest while allegedly driving drunk in Ohio Flash flooding forces evacuation of elementary school, fire station in western Maryland 'Love Island' contestant charged with domestic violence in Salt Lake City Photos: Rare 1 in 100,000 piebald elk spotted around Colorado's Estes Park Stockton inspection uncovers dead animals, neglected kennels The facility had been under the name 'Wynter Knights' a former licensed say when they arrived, they smelled a strong odor of dead animal and found several dead animals on the backside of the property. They say they also found several dogs housed in kennels that lacked proper flooring. Officers say many of dogs appeared malnourished and some kennels didn't have food or water for the animals. Representatives with the Department of Agriculture say an inspection of the property a month earlier found similar conditions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Stockton woman charged with 12 counts of animal abuse
STOCKTON, Mo. — A woman from Stockton faces animal abuse charges over a month after the Humane Society of Missouri rescued 42 dogs and nine cats from her residence. According to online court dockets, Sarah Walborn, born 1989, faces 12 counts of animal abuse — which are all Class A misdemeanors — in Cedar County Circuit Court. According to the affidavit filed publicly on Tuesday, May 13, a Cedar County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) deputy arrived to Walborn's residence to serve legal papers on March 13. Upon arrival, the deputy was immediately hit by a strong odor reminiscent of a dead animal. Upon further observation, the CCSO deputy noted Walborn had several dogs housed in kennels that lacked proper flooring. The dogs were standing directly on dirt and grass. Some dogs appeared malnourished, and some kennels did not have food or water available for the animals, the affidavit says. The deputy attempted to make contact with Walborn, but found nobody home at the time of the visit. On March 31, the CCSO deputy spoke with a representative from the Missouri Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health. During that conversation, the representative provided the deputy a packet containing documentation of an inspection report of Walborn's residence that the representative conducted on March 28, which detailed similar observations regarding animal's the conditions. A warrant has been issued for Walborn's arrest with a $5,000 cash-only bond. According to previous Ozarks First coverage, the Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) rescued 42 dogs and nine cats from Walborn's Cedar County property last month. The Animal Cruelty Task Force was sent to the facility of a formerly licensed breeder on April 3 to rescue several animals. According to a news release, the animals were seized after being seen in concerning condition by a witness. HSMO says there were multiple dead animals, like horses and deer on site. Dog skeletal remains were also found. The facility was under a formerly licensed breeder operating under the name 'Wynter Knights', and the rescue was made with the help of the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Attorney General's Office. Ozarks First Investigates dug through court documents revealing the State of Missouri took legal action against Walborn in March 2025. Filings allege that since becoming a licensed breeder in February 2024, Walborn violated multiple provisions of the Missouri Animal Care Facilities Act and the Canine Cruelty Prevention Act. The state claims that despite numerous inspections and citations from the Missouri Department of Agriculture, including four visits from June 2024 to February 2025, Walborn did not address the violations and continued to operate under substandard conditions. The April 3 discovery prompted action from the Animal Cruelty Task Force, which was supported by the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Attorney General's Office. Corgis, Alaskan Malamutes, and Doodle mixes were among the breeds rescued. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
Stockton woman ignored animal care violations, State says
STOCKTON, Mo. – Ozarks First Investigates is uncovering additional information about the woman at the center of an animal cruelty investigation and rescue operation in Cedar County, where multiple dead animals, including skeletal remains of dogs, were found. On April 3, the Humane Society of Missouri rescued 42 dogs and nine cats in dire condition from Sarah Walborn's Stockton-based business, Wynter Knights Kennel and Grooming. Ozarks First Investigates dug through court documents revealing the State of Missouri took legal action against Walborn the month prior, in March 2025. Filings allege that since becoming a licensed breeder in February 2024, Walborn violated multiple provisions of the Missouri Animal Care Facilities Act and the Canine Cruelty Prevention Act. Records show violations include, but are not limited to: (1) Failed to provide adequate veterinarian care for several animals under her care (2) Failed to provide adequate shade for animals (3) Failed to provide adequate, clean, dry bedding material (4) Failed to remove excreta or food waste from enclosures daily (5) Failed to properly identify animals being held at the Facility, purchased, boarded, sheltered, or otherwise acquired, sold, released, given away or otherwise disposed of, or removed from the Facility for any reason (6) Failed to maintain required medical records on all animals brought (7) Failed to conduct daily observations of all animals to assess their health and well-being (8) Failed to provide adequate shelter structure for outdoor facilities housing animals USPS updates service standards, impacting mail delivery times The state claims that despite numerous inspections and citations from the Missouri Department of Agriculture, including four visits from June 2024 to February 2025, Walborn did not address the violations and continued to operate under substandard conditions. The April 3 discovery prompted action from the Animal Cruelty Task Force, which was supported by the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Attorney General's Office. Corgis, Alaskan Malamutes, and Doodle mixes were among the breeds rescued. 'The severe neglect these poor animals suffered is abhorrent and inexcusable,' said Kathy Warnick, President of the Humane Society of Missouri. 'We will do everything in our power to ensure the rescued dogs and cats are rehabilitated and given a second chance at a happier life.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
51 animals rescued from former licensed breeder
ST. LOUIS – About 51 animals were rescued by the Humane Society of Missouri's (HSMO) Animal Cruelty Task Force (ACT) in Cedar County, Missouri. HSMO made the announcement on April 3, saying that 42 dogs and nine cats were seized from a past licensed breeder named 'Wynter Knights.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now According to HSMO's news release, the animals were removed from Knights after inspectors from the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) said they received concerns from a witness, alleging that the animals were in concerning conditions. HSMO says that there were multiple dead animals, like horses, on site. Dog skeletal remains were also found. 'The severe neglect these poor animals suffered is abhorrent and inexcusable,' said HSMO President Kathy Warnick. MDA then filed a petition for injunctive action, contacting HSMO immediately to rescue any animals that were alive. The news release claimed that the organizations gained access to Knights' property from the Cedar County's Sheriff's Department. Those animals included corgis, Alaskan malamutes, doodle mixes and Manx. However, the ages for these rescued animals vary. With many animals rescued, HSMO calls for the community's help in providing donations, such as blankets, newspapers, dog toys or beds. HSMO aims to make the affected animal's recovery process as comfortable as possible. Missouri has a new richest billionaire, according to Forbes 'We will do everything in our power to ensure the rescued dogs are rehabilitated and given a second chance at a happier life,' Warnick said. Those looking to donate and help out can visit Humane Society Missouri's website here. To report any animals that may be in danger or suffering from neglect/abuse, individuals are urged to contact their local police and the Humane Society of Missouri's Animal Cruelty Hotline at (314) 647-4400. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
10 dogs rescued in Greene County among 50 saved by Humane Society of Missouri
GREENE COUNTY, Mo. – Ten of 50 dogs rescued today by the Humane Society of Missouri are from a resident in Greene County. Laura Keller, Humane Society spokeswoman, said the dogs were taken from an owner who was overwhelmed by the demands of caring for the animals she described as being 'in rough shape.' The 10 and 40 others taken from what Keller called 'puppy mill' situations in the state are being taken to the society's facility in St, Louis for health evaluations and emergency veterinary treatment. Two dozen cats from an abandoned property in Phelps County also were rescued by the HSMO's Animal Cruelty Task Force, she said. 'While there's no such thing as a typical day at the Humane Society of Missouri, bringing 75 animals in from three different rescues definitely puts a strain on our resources, including our people,' HSMO president Kathy Warnick said in a news release. 'The fact that it's happening on our Annual Day of Giving definitely shines a spotlight on our mission and real ways we put that mission into action every day.' HSMO expects to make the animals available for adoption after they have been spayed or neutered, received their vaccines and been evaluated by our behavior team. As the animals recover, medically and behaviorally, they will be made available for adoption on a case-by-case basis. There is no current timeline for when the dogs and cats rescued today will be ready for adoption, but interested adopters can check the HSMO website at to see when they become available, according to the news release. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
