Dogs seized from Kennett home might be adopted

KENNETT, Mo. -- The 28 dogs collected during the animal neglect case Tuesday on Russell Street in Kennett may get a second chance at a good life.

According to Jeane Jae, the Humane Society of Missouri's director of communications, if the state receives custody of the dogs after a hearing later this month, they will try to find the animals a good home.

"The Humane Society of Missouri will care for [the dogs] until the Jan. 27 deposition hearing," Jae said. "Assuming we receive custody, we will evaluate each one for adoptability and hope to find loving, caring homes for as many of them as possible."

Although charges have yet to be filed against the owner of the property, Carl Warn, 68, Jae noted that the Humane Society will push for animal abuse charges.

"The Humane Society of Missouri will make a formal recommendation to the prosecutor that animal abuse charges be filed," Jae said. "This is a Class A misdemeanor that is punishable with a $1,000 fine and up to one year in jail."

Fifty animals were collected from Warn's residence on Tuesday, 28 dogs and 22 birds.

The investigation began on Tuesday, after Kennett Police Cpl. Craig Crow received call requesting a welfare check on an elderly man at the residence on Russell Street.

When police arrived on the scene, the unnamed 73-year-old man was banging on the window of the home, yelling for help.

Crow assisted the elderly man in getting out of the home and immediately took him to Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center in Kennett.

When Crow entered the residence, he immediately saw numerous dogs inside, and noticed an "overwhelming odor of feces" emanating from the home.

In his report, Crow noted that he saw human and animal feces covering the floors and walls of the residence.

Crow then contacted the Humane Society of Missouri. The Humane Society, along with Kennett humane officers, noticed that several of the dogs were in poor physical condition and many had hair loss and eye infections.

On Tuesday, officers served the warrant and removed the animals from the property.