50 Rottweilers and other dogs rescued in Watauga animal cruelty case

WATAUGA, Texas - Nearly 50 Rottweilers and other animals were rescued from an alleged animal cruelty situation involving a rescue organization in Watauga earlier this month.

Authorities say they were living in filth at a home connected to an animal rescue.

Watauga Animal Cruelty Investigation

What we know:

Watauga officials said they began their investigation earlier this month at a home on Geyser Trail.

On March 1, police say they got a call about an adult who was severely bitten by a dog. Animal services removed that dog.

But while police were investigating, they discovered 47 Rottweilers, two American Staffordshire Terriers, a mixed breed terrier and a cat inside the home.

Many of the animals were sick or needed emergency medical attention. Officials said they were living in "dangerously unsanitary conditions."

Disturbing pictures shared by the city of Watauga showed kennels covered in urine and feces and at least one emaciated Rottweiler.

Several animal shelters, including the SPCA of Texas, the Humane Society of North Texas, Irving Animal Services, Dallas Animal Services, and Fort Worth Animal Care & Control, helped to remove the animals from the home.

A Rottie Rescue

Watauga officials confirmed the property was associated with A Rottie Rescue.

The organization's website and social media accounts appear to have been taken down. However, its profile on the North Texas Giving Day website lists it as a 501c3 nonprofit that focuses on rescuing critically injured or critically ill Rottweilers.

Police said the rescue is under criminal investigation, but no arrests have been made at this time.

What we don't know:

Officials did not release the names of anyone involved since no one has been charged. 

‘Some of the worst conditions we’ve ever seen'

What they're saying:

Watauga Police Chief Jim Lewis said they were stunned when they discovered the large number of animals in the home.

"What’s really amazing is that from outside the house, you would never know that anything unusual was going on at this location," he said. "When officers went inside the house, however, they saw an entirely different scene."

Watauga police say some kennels were covered in feces and urine, inches deep. Dogs were abnormally thin and weak due to lack of food.

"The conditions that the animals were being held in were some of the worst that my animal services people have ever seen," said Lewis.

Mark Moseley says he never noticed anything unusual from his neighbor’s home until March 1, when he saw a woman running from the home in distress. 

"It sounded like a dog fight, and I could tell that it was coming from this house behind me. It sounded like a pack of dogs going after somebody or something," he recalled. "I had no idea that there were any Rottweilers in that house at all. There were never any indications of anything like that."

What's next:

The Watauga Police Department is actively investigating the case. The chief says he is confident charges will be filed soon.

Adopt or foster a Rottweiler

What you can do:

Fort Worth Animal Care said that while it was happy to help rescue the dogs from a bad situation, having so many large-breed dogs has stretched its shelter’s capacity.

It’s asking the community to help with overcrowding by adopting or agreeing to foster a dog.

"While this situation was unexpected, we believe the community of Fort Worth can rise to the occasion once again. These dogs have already been through a lot, and with your help, we can provide them the chance they deserve," FWACC said.

Those interested in helping should visit www.fortworthtexas.gov/animals to see adoptable dogs.