Neighbors in far southwest Bexar County woke up Monday to another round of flashing lights at a now-infamous property, as Bexar County sheriff's deputies and animal-control officers pulled 18 dogs out of what they describe as filthy, neglected conditions.
Deputies say the dogs were crammed into cages or kennels filled with feces. Many of the animals were reportedly crawling with ticks and fleas, and several appeared malnourished. County officials had already flagged the same location in 2023 in connection with a prior puppy-mill seizure, and it is now back in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
A BCSO spokesperson told KSAT that the latest call came from someone who said the animals' owner had left Texas weeks ago. Another person staying on the property tried to keep the dogs fed but eventually could not afford to continue, according to deputies. Officers seized all 18 dogs and turned them over to Bexar County Animal Control for evaluation and treatment. Investigators are now working to sort out who is responsible and what charges, if any, might follow.
Same Property at Center of 2023 Raid
County officials already knew this address. According to a Bexar County press release, teams descended on the same property in August 2023 and recovered dozens of animals. At that time, officials reported 62 animals rescued and eight dogs found dead. Two female dogs gave birth during triage, bringing the total number of animals under county care to about 70.
In that earlier case, the homeowner voluntarily surrendered the animals. County staff then organized transport, triage and sheltering for the surviving animals, according to the press release.
Animal-Neglect Calls Keep Stacking Up
This is not an isolated story for Bexar County. Animal seizures and cruelty investigations have been surfacing across the county this year, especially on far-west and southwest properties. In March, deputies recovered seven dogs from a different far-west location after finding them in life-threatening conditions, as reported by KSAT.
County Care and What Happens Next
The 18 dogs seized Monday are now in the hands of Bexar County Animal Care, which runs the county shelter in Kirby. The department handles triage, parasite treatment and veterinary evaluation for animals brought in from seizures before any decisions are made about placement or adoption.
County information on intake and care outlines how the shelter manages seized, abandoned and abused dogs, including its capacity and procedures. Officials say every seized animal is evaluated before any possible public placement is considered.
Legal Stakes for the Owner
Authorities say criminal charges could be on the table if investigators find evidence of neglect or cruelty. Prosecutors will ultimately decide whether to file any cases. In the 2023 seizure at the same property, the county noted that the homeowner voluntarily surrendered the animals and did not face immediate criminal charges, according to the Bexar County press release.
