Man given probation in animal cruelty case involving 58 dogs in Springtown

TEXAS -- A Fort Worth man accused of subjecting 58 dogs to unhealthy conditions on Parker County property has been sentenced to two years' probation in a case in which four other family members face animal cruelty and child endangerment charges.

In May, a then-18-month-old boy was found in a crib inside a home surrounded by animal waste from the dogs, authorities have said.

Harry George Weldon

Three dogs were euthanized shortly after authorities seized them in May, and five puppies died a few days later, Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler said after the canines were taken away.

Harry George Weldon, 50, agreed to a plea agreement last month in a Weatherford courtroom to a charge of cruelty to non-livestock animals, a Class A misdemeanor.

In addition to probation, Weldon was ordered to pay a $500 fine, $262 in court costs and perform 80 hours of community service, according to Parker County criminal court records.

Weldon could not be reached Wednesday for comment.

His wife, Teresa Weldon, 48, and the toddler's uncle, Joseph Weldon, 23, rejected plea agreements on the charges of animal cruelty. Their trials are pending.

Neither Soraya Joslin of Weatherford, Teresa Weldon's attorney, nor Tiffany Branson of Weatherford, Joseph Weldon's attorney, could be reached on Wednesday.

Child endangerment charges have been filed against the toddler's mother, Amanda Gayle Weldon, 29; his uncle, Christopher Brett Weldon, 26, Teresa Weldon and Joseph Weldon. Those cases are expected to be presented to a Parker County grand jury in the next few weeks, Parker County Assistant District Attorney Jeff Swain said Tuesday in an email.

The boy was not in foster care, said Child Protective Services spokeswoman Marissa Gonzales. Information on who was taking care of him was unavailable on Wednesday.

Authorities received a tip in early May about unhealthy conditions for the dogs at a residence in the 900 block of Lynch Bend Road in Springtown.

Officials said many dogs were found in poor condition. Animal control officers found unsanitary living conditions.

Thirty-one dogs were found in crates inside the residence in their own urine and feces, without food or water, authorities said. Several outdoor pens contained puppies sitting in their own waste, authorities said.

The dogs were taken to the Weatherford-Parker County Animal Shelter.

"Some dogs were adopted," said Dustin Deel, interim director of animal services at the Weatherford-Parker County Animal Shelter. "There were others that had to be euthanized."

Authorities said Weldon was apparently allowed to adopt animals from an undisclosed Metroplex animal shelter without a proper background check.

(Star-Telegram - Sept 5, 2012)