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Nearly thirty dogs and puppies rescued from severe abuse and neglect in Polk County

Updated: Nov 13, 2024

- Missouri, USA -


On November 8, 2024, the Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Task Force rescued twenty-eight puppies and dogs from a property in Polk County.


The rescue is the result of multiple visits to the property and repeated efforts by the Animal Cruelty Task Force to work with the property owner to improve the dogs’ care.


The ACT investigator warned the property owner that the animals may be removed if their health and environment didn’t improve. However, despite the warnings, when the ACT investigator returned to the property to check on the welfare of the dogs, most recently thirty days ago, it was apparent that their wellbeing and safety worsened. At that point the Polk County Sheriff removed the dogs under a warrant and placed them in the care of HSMO.


The Voiceless Victims had no access to food or water, and were tethered to heavy chains, which limited their movement and ability to seek shelter.

According to the HSMO, many dogs were found severely underweight and many others were found injured.

Sadly, many dogs were also found deceased.


In a press release, the Humane Society of Missouri said the dogs, who are of various breeds and breed mixes, were taken to “HSMO’s Macklind headquarters in St. Louis to receive health evaluations and emergency veterinary treatment.”


HSMO President Kathy Warnick said: “These dogs lived in horrific conditions, and had we not intervened, many more may not have survived. We are grateful for the cooperation of the Polk County Sheriff and their assistance in helping us rescue these animals from such dangerous neglect before their conditions worsened or they died. Now that they are safe, community support is critical to ensure these dogs receive the care and treatment they deserve and a new chance for a better life with a loving family.”


On December 4, 2024, a disposition hearing will determine whether HSMO will assume legal custody of the dogs. As explained in the press release, “If awarded custody, HSMO will make the dogs available for adoption after they have been given a clean bill of health by the veterinarians and evaluated by the animal behavior team. As the animals recover – medically and behaviorally – they will be made available for adoption on a case-by-case basis.”


Meanwhile, the HSMO is requesting the community’s help with more supplies such as “blankets, towels, sheets, comforters, newspaper and of course toys!! New or used are both very much appreciated!”

For their Amazon Wish List, please click here. Thank you!


I have emailed the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to see whether any arrests were made in connection with this case and at the time of writing, I have not received a response.


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Humane Society of Missouri. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.





MACEY MICHELLE CASTEEL accused of leaving thirteen puppies in a hot car – Ten puppies died

- Missouri, USA -

 

The Springfield Police Department arrested 30-year-old MACEY MICHELLE CASTEEL (pictured).

 

On the early morning of Sunday, July 14, 2024, Greene County Dispatch received a 911 call about several dogs who were inside a white Toyota Corolla in a parking lot. The caller advised the dogs had been in the vehicle for at least three hours unattended.

 

Three hours after the call, an officer with the Springfield Police Department checked on the dogs, and according to the affidavit, the officer “deemed them not in distress and Springfield Animal Control would not respond.” The officer then rescheduled the call for 9:00 a.m.

 

At 9:39 a.m. another officer went to check on the dogs and saw significant condensation on the inside. The officer observed stacks of dog crates on the back seat and reported that there were multiple dogs in each travel crate and several were whining.

 

The officer reported, “I could see at least one dog heavily panting inside each kennel. There appeared to be dogs inside that were not alive, as they were laying with their eyes open but not moving, and tongues hanging out of their mouths.”

 

When the officer was able to open the vehicle, there was heat radiating from inside and it felt “in excess of 100 degrees.”

 

Two of the crates were filled with young puppies, which were piled on top of each other. Only six of the twelve puppies inside the crates were breathing and only one was able to sit up. They were hot and their fur was matted with moisture. Another dog was found hiding under the passenger's seat.

 

The affidavit described the puppies as 9-week-old Mini Cockapoos.

 

As the officer was on scene, CASTEEL arrived and asked the officer: “Are my puppies OK?”

 

CASTEEL confirmed the puppies were hers and she was placed under arrest. She told the officer that sometime during the night she went to a friend’s house and that only at 4:00 a.m. she remembered the puppies were still in the car. CASTEEL claimed she asked her friend to drive her to her car but the friend refused and she fell back asleep. When she woke up, she walked back to her vehicle. CASTEEL went on to tell the officer that she was traveling to Oklahoma to sell the puppies.

 

Animal Control responded to the scene and took the furvictims to the Emergency Vet Clinic where several of them sadly had to be euthanized due to heat related illness. Only three of the thirteen puppies survived. According to the affidavit, “In the vehicle, the dogs had no access to water, food, or fresh air.”

 

CASTEEL was booked into the Greene County Jail on 13 counts of animal abuse and bond was set at $10,000. She has since been released.

 

Court records show that CASTEEL is scheduled to appear at Greene County Circuit Court on September 3, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.

 

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the Probable Cause Affidavit.

Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

 

 

CASTEEL’s mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Springfield Police Department.






ELIJAH PAUL JUAREZ accused of mutilating his dog for ‘sacrifice’ and raping a woman in Callaway County

- Missouri, USA -

 

The Holts Summit Police Department arrested 23-years-old ELIJAH PAUL JUAREZ (pictured).

 

According to court documents, on the afternoon of Monday, February 5, 2024, an employee of a property management company for JUAREZ’s home in the 100 block of Rylee Circle in Holts Summit, reported to police that he heard JUAREZ trashing the home. When the employee went to check what was going on, he found a bloody hatchet, parts of a dismembered dog, and a large amount of blood in the garage.

 

Police then obtained and executed a search warrant at JUAREZ’s home. The search led to the discovery of more dog parts, a trash can and freezer containing more dog body parts, a large pool of blood that was starting to dry, two pairs of bloody scissors, and bloody clothes and shoes.

A veterinarian stated that the dog had been dismembered, shot, and gutted.

 

Officials additionally found forged documents (such as passports and identification cards), guns, an AR-15 rifle, and a whiteboard that had plans and financial information about selling drugs.

 

The following day, on February 6, 2024, investigators interviewed a woman who had been in a relationship with JUAREZ.

The woman told investigators that on January 22, 2024, JUAREZ restrained her to a metal rack, he sexually assaulted her, and recorded himself during the act. According to the woman, JUAREZ also threatened her to burn her hands to prevent her from escaping.

The woman went on to state that on February 1, 2024, while she and JUAREZ were arguing, he beat her and forbade her to leave. The woman also said that she was raped by JUAREZ on February 3, 2024, and that the following day she went back to his home to get her stuff.

When she arrived at JUAREZ’s home, he was standing outside holding a bible while wearing a black and red mask. The woman said she did not feel safe and left. According to the woman, JUAREZ had been sending her messages on her phone and on social media saying he wanted to “sacrifice” her, but since she was not there at his home, he would sacrifice something else instead. JUAREZ then sent the woman pictures of his dismembered dog.

 

On the afternoon of Monday, February 12, 2024, JUAREZ was booked into the Callaway County Jail. The following day, prosecutors filed felony charges against him, including:

 

Animal Abuse

Two counts of First-Degree Sodomy

First-Degree Rape

First-Degree Kidnapping

Four counts of Third-Degree Domestic Assault

First-Degree Stalking

First-Degree Property Damage

Tampering with a Victim (as he called the woman in an attempt to persuade her to not cooperate with police).

 

I have emailed the Holts Summit Police Department and requested additional information about the Voiceless Victim. If I get a response, I will post an update. Meanwhile, I took the liberty of naming the furvictim Ocean for the tribute image. Should his/her given name be made public, I will rectify it accordingly.

 

Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Please note that details may be removed or new information added should such sources report an update.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

 

 

JUAREZ’s mugshot shared from the Callaway County Jail.


Additional Sources:





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