Texas: Ever wonder if your kid's teacher runs a puppy mill in her spare time like Deborah Eckeberger?

TEXAS -- A former grade school teacher has been charged with animal cruelty after sheriff's deputies and SPCA workers seized 106 abused and neglected dogs from her East Texas home Monday.

The dogs were allegedly "forced to live in their own filth inside a feces-filled, urine-soaked home on the property" near Athens, according to the SPCA of Texas.

The woman charged, 59-year-old Deborah Eckeberger (aka Deborah Linn Eckeberger), was already on probation after an animal cruelty conviction in October. She taught kids from primary grades through sixth grade over the years at the Athens Independent School District -- until Wednesday morning, when she tendered her resignation, AISD Superintendent Blake Stiles told us.

The SPCA also alleged that "most of the dogs are suffering from eye discharge, flea infestation, long nails, severely matted fur and skin conditions. Approximately 60 of the dogs were confined to crates, and some crates included up to seven dogs."

The SPCA also claims that "the stench of ammonia was so intense that investigators wore personal protective equipment, including breathing apparatuses, while inside the home," which begs the question: Didn't any of her fellow teachers, or students, ever ask, "Hey, Ms. Eckeberger, why do you smell like you are the alleged proprietor of a piss-soaked doggy dungeon?"

Henderson County court records show that she was charged with animal cruelty last February and pleaded either no contest or guilty in October. She was sentenced to a year's probation and 50 hours of community service.

One of her dogs escaped her concentration camp and was picked up. From what I read, it had major skin issues and so she was charged with one count of cruelty. She apparently pleaded guilty quickly to prevent them from further investigating her and, of course, never disclosed what was going on inside her home. All but two of the dogs were kept hidden inside. However, if she is on probation, that typically includes being checked by animal control and over the months of her being on probation they found out more about her puppy mill business, got a warrant and busted her. 

She was also charged with public intoxication September 16, but no other information on that charge was available.

(Houston Press - Dec 20, 2012)

Earlier:

• Texas: Over 100 dogs rescued from puppy mill, Deborah Eckeberger arrested