Spencers are Sentenced of Animal Cruelty

Source [There are pictures.]

One of these days I will read a sentencing story that makes me happy. This day is not today.

Charges were filed against George and Mary Lu Spencer for only a few of the large number of animals taken from their property in mid-January.

When Animal Control officers were dispatched to the couple’s home on Davis Bend Road on Jan. 14, they found: 79 canines (dogs), two felines (cats) , six equine (horses and mini-horses) and 10 guinea pigs in what they describe as “deplorable conditions’.

When an Alvin police detective visited the home to follow up with the couple regarding another issue, they noticed one dog tethered to a pole near the home.

He contacted Animal Control and two officers, Tonya Douglas and Heidi Hunting who investigated the condition of the home, barn, crates and cages the animals were in. For hours, Douglas and Hunting continued to find underfed, animals with little or no water, standing in feces; horses standing in water, covered in mud and others in cages with layers of feces covered in newspaper, the complaint states. Alvin Health Inspector Shelly Crist was also called in to the scene to review the conditions regarding health concerns, and to document the condition of the animals.

Although there were a total of 97 animals alive, and several dead, the couple was only charged with three counts of cruelty.

Both George and Mary Lu Spencer pled no contest to all three counts of the Class A misdemeanor charges, and both received the same sentence.

They will serve 12 months of community service each; participate in a community based program, and attend and successfully complete readiness to change class and pay the assessed fees, as well as community supervision fees of $27.50 per month and a $200 fine.

Twelve months of community service. Twelve. Months. For knowingly abusing 97 animals.

When the Animal Control officers originally learned how many animals were in such dire straits at the home, an Alvin municipal judge authorized the removal of all of the animals, giving the “care and control of the dogs” to the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The horses and other animals were kept in Alvin, and later adopted to new families, after screenings took place.

Many of the dogs were so ill with heartworms that they could not be adopted out, and were destroyed.

One mini-horse was cared for by a volunteer while it recuperated. Veterinarians feared it would not survive, since it suffered from malnutrition and other major medical problems. In fact, Animal Control Officer Douglas said at the time that a veterinarians had rated it a “1” on a scale of 1 to 10, believing it would not survive.

It did survive, and thanks to donations from the Animal Welfare League of Alvin, and local families who donated their time, food and medication were provided for all of the equine.

All of the horses had mouth sores, lice, and fungus on their skin when they were rescued. Caregivers had to limit the amount of water and feed they could give them because they were so hungry from lack of nutrition.

In late January, George and Mary Lu Spencer were brought to municipal court, where Judge Bill Pannell officially removed the animals from their possession.

At court, Mary Lu Spencer apologized for the condition of the animals, saying she had undergone breast cancer surgery and had put down hay for the dogs, and was worming them.

“I’ve been doing everything I can,” she said. “I am not able to take care of them right now.”

She presented binders with immunization records for some of the animals, and asked that one bulldog be returned, since it belonged to her granddaughter. “I’d like to have him back,” she said. Her husband asked that his own pet also be returned. “I want my house dog, my white dog,” he said. “I take care of him. Those other dogs...I did not go out to the barn.”

Clearly. I'm not sure how that helps with your defense. They were YOUR dogs, they were YOUR responsibility. You knew they were there, you kept them there, and you did nothing to take care of them.

Judge Pannell refused both requests.

The couple agreed to give up the animals, but were arrested as they left the courtroom.

In his ruling, Judge Pannell also required the Spencers to reimburse the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals $18,676.80; the Animal Welfare League of Alvin $671.88, and the City of Alvin $148.99 for expenses incurred up to that point. He required that they pay the fine within 30 days of his ruling.

According to Alvin Welfare League Treasurer Joanie Moore, only half, $335.94, was paid to the League, with the understanding that the balance would be paid two weeks later. The payment was never received. The AWLA must take the Spencers to small claims court and have a lien placed on them, if they hope to recover the money.

“I thought that was the end of it,” said Mary Lu Spencer, as she was handcuffed after being informed that the Brazoria County District Attorney planned to take the couple to court with cruelty to animal charges.

The couple was taken to jail immediately from the court, and posted bonds of $4,000 each, and were released.