Oklahoma: Anne Marie Duhon and Shane Duhon, operators of a rescue called "Cajun Country Animal Rescue", say they're confident the animal cruelty charges will be dropped and they plan on re-opening their rescue.

OKLAHOMA -- Last year, a Latimer County couple was arrested after nearly 90 animals were found at their residence.

Shane and Anne Duhon, who were charged with animal cruelty and child neglect, will be in court Thursday to plead their case.

The couple's three children were also removed from the home.

They believe the animal cruelty charges will be dropped and expect to move on with what they call a rescue operation.

"Cajun Country Animal Rescue" was a death camp

"The rescue is still open, it's what's called idling right now," Anne Duhon said. "We filed our taxes for this year to keep the rescue open."

While neither can legally have animals while the case is pending, but believes it will only be a matter of time.

 

"Once this is over and we get vindicated, we definitely intend on doing a rescue," she said.

The Tulsa SPCA took in most of the animals, many of which arrived numerous health issues, including heart worms, fleas, dehydration and skin disorders, officials say.

Tulsa SPCA Director Lori Hall says the animals taken into her organization were evidence of hoarding, not breeding.

"Some of the smaller organizations, they need to learn when to say 'this is enough for me, this what I can take care of,'" Hall said. "The Duhon's do not know when to stop."

The society worked for weeks to get the animals adoptable -- most are now in permanent homes, Hall says.

Anne Duhon said she knew she was in over her head, but the dogs kept coming. Duhon said, at the time she felt she had nowhere to turn, but now just wants her animals.

"It's a loss for all of us, it's a loss for the animal world because I was doing a good thing," she said.

DHS has since returned the Duhon children to their parents.

Officials with the Tulsa SPCA say they are confident the animal cruelty charges will stick.

(KJRH - July 23, 2012)

Earlier:

• Oklahoma: "Cajun Country Animal Rescue Ranch" raided by police. Anne Duhon and Shane Duhon arrested after starving and dead animals found everywhere.