MISSION, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A 71-year-old woman has been charged after investigators found six dead dogs and numerous others caged in kennels inside a rural Mission home, the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.
Blanca Ester Rodriguez, 71, has been charged with cruelty to non-livestock animals, a Class A misdemeanor.
Rodriguez’s bond was set at $5,000.
Rodriguez was booked and released from Hidalgo County jail on Tuesday. Jail records don’t list an attorney for Rodriguez, who couldn’t be reached for comment.
At approximately 5:03 p.m. Sunday, deputies responded to a report of animal cruelty at the 7300 block of Santa Monica Boulevard.
Deputies spoke with a witness, who reported receiving multiple calls from concerned residents saying that the homeowner was keeping more than 30 dogs on the property.
The witness reported to deputies that the dogs looked malnourished, adding that they had seen two dead dogs on the property.
Deputies spoke with the homeowner, who permitted them to inspect the outside of the home. During the inspection, deputies found six dead dogs outside and numerous others in kennels inside the home, according to a news release.
On Monday, Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office investigators executed a search warrant for the seizure of animals at the home.
A total of 42 dogs were taken from the property and released to the Hidalgo County Animal Control/Health Department for care, evaluation and treatment, HSCO stated.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office at 956-383-8114 or the Hidalgo County Crime Stoppers at (956) 668-TIPS (8477).
The case remains under investigation.