IVANHOE, Texas — A Tyler County resident was arrested Tuesday on animal cruelty charges after police found several dogs chained up in outside in the heat.
Ivanhoe city officials were told, on Monday, about several dogs that were being kept in what was described as "inhumane conditions" at a home in the 100 block of Marion Dr in Ivanhoe, according to Lt. Steven Lemons of the Ivanhoe Police Department.
When officers arrived at the home they found eight dogs outside the home with no access to water, food or shelter, according to Lemons.
The dogs were chained up with heavy steel chains, Lemons told 12News.
Tyler County Precinct one Justice of the Peace Tina Self signed an arrest warrant for, Malcolm Lewis, 37, of Ivanhoe, who was found to be the owner of the dogs, according to Lemons.
Lewis was arrested Tuesday without incident and was charged with cruelty to a non-livestock animal, Lemons said.
The dogs were taken into custody Wednesday morning by the Polk County Society for the Prevention and Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
Ivanhoe council members, the mayor and some community members helped out by getting hoses to get the dogs water Lemons said.
The dogs will be housed in one of the SPCA’s kennels and will be isolated for a few days from other dogs. Later they will be moved inside with other dogs.
Ron Hornsby, the executive director of SPCA, told 12News that a SPCA trainer will work with the dogs to help them out, but it will be “a bit of a road” for their rehab.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
GET NEWS & WEATHER ALERTS | Download the 12News App to your mobile device
CRIME STOPPERS | Submit a tip @ 833Tips.com
CRIME STOPPERS APP | Download the P3 Tips App
If you have information about a crime you could earn a cash reward of up to $1000 by providing an ANONYMOUS tip to Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas.
Call 833-TIPS (8477) or download the P3Tips App on your mobile device to submit your tip anonymously.