Animals Slated for Auction Cared for by Constable

March 27, 2008

NACOGDOCHES, Texas –- For a constable serving Nacogdoches County, Texas, his normal duties of acting as a bailiff or subpoenaing a witness have been replaced by caring for dozens of animals .

Precinct 1 Constable Shane Johnson* has been caretaker to about 20 mix-breed puppies and dogs, 30 chickens, 10 pigeons, eight cats and a goat for nearly a week.

It all started when he served an eviction notice to the tenants of a property near Cushing. He noticed unkempt cages and visible signs of neglect, which prompted him to file a complaint with the Justice of the Peace of Precinct 1.

JP Kerry Don Williamson heard testimony on Tuesday from the constable and veterinarian Dr. Ronald Lott from the Appleby Sand Road Animal Clinic, who reported the conditions as “not acceptable” for the animals.

“The owners did try to retain the animals, but lost their case,” said Johnson, who seized the animals. “These conditions didn’t just pop up overnight.”

Friday, a justice of the peace will hold a public auction for the animals in hopes of finding them new homes. Interested adopters will be able to view pictures of the animals at the Nacogdoches courtroom Friday morning.

Johnson, who spends 40 minutes “on a good day” feeding all the animals, hopes “big hearts” will adopt them as pets and pick up where he has to leave off.

Food for the cats and dogs is provided by the Nacogdoches Animal Shelter and Lone Star Feed, Johnson is encouraged by the veterinarian, organization and company support.

“It really shows how a community can come together and support each other,” said Johnson, who fears the animals could be put down if not adopted on Friday.

Evicted from their rental home, the animals’ owners abandoned them, as well as most of their furniture. Caged pigeons were found inside the home, while the cats, which roamed from inside to outside, covered the floor with feces.

Outside, the goat and chickens were kept in a coop with some chickens lying dead in the same pen. The 20 dogs were randomly chained, caged or found freely walking about.

The auction will take place Friday at 9 a.m. in the justice of peace courtroom, 9373 U.S. Hwy. 259, Nacogdoches, Texas.

Tell us what you think about “Animals Slated for Auction Cared for by Constable” below. Share your favorite videos by clicking on the ZootooTV tab. Send us your story ideas by e-mailing us at news@zootoo.com or by calling us at 877-777-4204.

Pet Pulse Reporter Robin Wallace and Michael Rodden of The Daily Sentinel contributed to this report.

*Correction: Previously written as "Johnston."