Texas Border Business
PALMVIEW – The Hidalgo County Animal Control unit of the Environmental Health Division rescued 64 small to medium-sized dogs from an elderly Palmview woman between Tuesday and Wednesday, the Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department announced Wednesday.
The rescue came after the daughter of the woman called the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday morning seeking a welfare check on her elderly mother because of the number of animals that were on the woman’s property.
What began as the elderly woman caring for two small dogs, evolved into 64 animals being cared for by the woman in what officials viewed as unsafe and unsanitary conditions.
The woman voluntarily gave up the animals and the Animal Control unit was dispatched to the house Tuesday afternoon. Animal Control officers initially rescued 45 small dogs on Tuesday and then returned to take possession of the larger animals the following morning. While Animal Control officers initially believed they were going to pick up 5 larger dogs, they discovered 14 more dogs hiding beneath the house.
“The decision was made to rescue the animals because of the number of dogs and the age of the woman,” said Eduardo Olivarez, Chief Administrative Officer of the Hidalgo County Department of Health and Human Services. “Investigators were concerned that the elderly woman was using personal resources to feed the dogs so for the benefit of both the woman and the animals the woman voluntarily gave up the dogs.”
The dogs were sent to the Palm Valley Animal Society, which is seeking the public’s help in adopting, fostering or donating resources for the benefit of the animals.
“We appreciate Palm Valley stepping up in this dire situation and taking control of the dogs,” Olivarez said. “We also appreciate the actions of the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office for recognizing the safety needs of the woman as well as the animals.”
Because the woman voluntarily gave up the animals, no charges are anticipated.
