EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Two people were arrested on Sept. 5 for keeping 25 dogs in their property without providing necessary medical care and depriving them of food, resulting in the death of one dog, according to court documents obtained by KTSM.
As KTSM previously reported, Wayne John Douglas Hayes, 44, and Shannon Marie Hayes Inks, 39, were arrested and were each charged with two counts of cruelty to non-livestock animals.
This came after an official, who works for the City of El Paso in the Environmental Department, responded to the 10414 Dunlap Dr., regarding concerns related to the “beautification and overall conditions of the premises.”
Upon arrival, the official noted a strong foul odor coming from the property, consistent with the accumulation of dog urine and feces. Trash and debris were also observed, and in the backyard, around four dogs were found confined in cages, according to court documents.
While on site, the official made contact with a female, believed to be the Hayes’ daughter. The official explained the purpose of the inspection and informed her that a follow-up visit would happen within three days to assess whether the property had been cleaned and brought into compliance.
Around two weeks later, the official, along with a code compliance officer and Animal Services personnel, returned to the property.
Upon reinspection, it was observed that the conditions had not improved but worsened. Around 12 dogs were now caged in the backyard, and the strong foul odor and insect infestation persisted, according to court documents.
The Animal Services supervisor made contact with Wayne Hayes, who voluntarily said that he and Shannon Hayes had a total of 27 dogs on the property, with some located in the backyard and others inside the home.
Upon inspection of the backyard, the supervisor observed approximately twelve dogs housed in handmade kennels that failed to meet minimum standards of care.
Conditions varied across the kennel; some dogs had access to shelter, while others did not. Flooring materials were inconsistent, with some kennels containing wooden pallets, others consisting solely of dirt, and several with standing in puddles of mud, according to court documents.
Due to these living conditions in the backyard, the supervisor requested permission to inspect the interior of the home to assess the welfare of the remaining animals.
Wayne and Shannon Hayes declined access, stating that they had been out of town over the weekend and admitted the interior of the home was in “disarray due to the buildup of feces.”
Despite denying access, Wayne Hayes took the supervisor’s work phone and used it to take photos of the dogs inside the home.
From these images, the supervisor was able to observe dogs confined in cages that were too small for their size, with visible feces buildup beneath the cages. The flooring throughout the home was stained with dog feces and urine, creating unsanitary living conditions for both the Hayes family and the animals, according to court documents.
Wayne and Shannon Hayes stated that their two teenage children were not assisting with care for the dogs or yard maintenance, attributing this to the internet being disconnected.
The supervisor then obtained a writ of entry to see the living conditions of the dogs inside the home. The supervisor and his team, along with three other officers, went to the Hayes’ home to execute the writ of entry.
The supervisor explained to the Hayes the purpose of their presence and provided them with a copy of the document.
Once inside, they observed that the floor throughout the home appeared to be stained with what resembled dog feces and urine.
They also observed that dog feces were scattered across multiple areas within the residence. Additionally, four dogs in wire cages were in what appeared to be the dining room, and the dogs’ legs were wet with what appeared to be their own excrement and urine, according to court documents.
The backyard was in the same unsanitary conditions, and several dogs appeared to be in visible distress, displaying signs such as excessive panting, pacing, and whining.
Subsequently, Animal Services obtained a seizure warrant, and 25 dogs were seized from the property and taken to the El Paso Animal Shelter for evaluation and care.
At the shelter, several dogs exhibited signs of medical distress. Specifically, those identified as Sephora, Shadow, Titan, Royal P., and Ocean began vomiting and defecating blood, as well as expelling foreign objects such as cloth and plastic materials, according to court documents.
Sephora continued to defecate blood and what appeared to be pieces of cloth. Despite emergency care efforts, she died due to the severity of her condition, according to court documents.
Shadow was transported to El Paso Animal Urgent Care, where an exploratory surgery was performed. The veterinarian discovered large quantities of foreign material, including cloth and plastic. Obstructing the intestines.
Titan, Royal P., and Ocean also vomited and defecated cloth and blood, but their conditions were managed and treated at the shelter without the need for transfer to a specialized veterinary clinic, court documents added.
It is believed that the Hayes deprived the dogs of adequate food, resulting in the dogs ingesting non-edible materials out of hunger.
“This neglect directly caused unjustifiable pain and suffering to the animals and contributed to the death of at least one canine,” read the court documents.
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