Testimony from Gilmer, TX animal cruelty case

Visitors attending the hearing were visibly upset after hearing more than 2 hours of testimony alleging animal cruelty against Jeremy Delton Reddin and Cleo Hobson III of Gilmer, Texas.  Veterinarian Dr. Terri Stevenson said of the 37 dogs seized, “maybe one or two” were in good health, and the others “were in desperate need of being treated.”  A cocker spaniel found hiding in the closet had almost no hair and had in injury that was cause by a “lot of force” she added.

Dr. Stevenson said the dead puppies found in dog food bags all had injuries including one that appeared to have been decapitated with something sharp like a knife.  She said it was possible they were used in dog fights.

Puppy mill raid in Gilmer, TX

Hobson and Reddin charged with animal cruelty
Hobson and Reddin charged with animal cruelty

On October 29th, the SPCA raided a trailer home on County Road 4088, Gilmer, Texas. Mutilated dead puppies were found stuffed in dog food bags. One dead puppy was decapitated. The SPCA seized 37 dogs. Constable Gene Dolle suspects these dogs were being sold for dog fighting. Four puppies were found living in an urine and feces filled bathtub. A cocker spaniel was locked in a closet. Byron Hobson and Jeremy Reddin remain jailed for animal cruelty and other charges. A hearing will take place at 10 am on November 6th at 301 E. Butler Street, Gilmer, Texas.

Texas cocker spaniel club member convicted

Sixty-one-year-old Betty McClendon, owner of B-Mac’s Kennels, member of Cocker Spaniel Club of South Texas, Secretary of Cocker Spaniel Club of Austin and Secretary of Cocker Spaniel Club of San Antonio, was convicted of 32 counts of animal cruelty (a misdemeanor in Texas). Her sentence of one year of jail was waived because of her age and clean record. Instead she will serve 15 days in jail and two years probation. As part of her probation she cannot own any animals or participate in animal-related clubs. She must also reimburse the SPCA for veterinary treatment provided to her cocker spaniels.

On May 29, 2009, deputy Bill Jenkins responded to an animal abuse complaint at Betty McClendon’s residence in Rosenberg, Texas. Thirty-two cocker spaniels were found in a hot shed stacked in cages. All were severely neglected some with maggots. One dog did not survive the ordeal. The animals were taken into custody by the SPCA.

Rescued Cocker Spaniels Get Spa Day: MyFoxHOUSTON.com