They say the animals were being cruelly treated.
An SPCA investigator who is also a deputy with the sheriff’s office visited the home on the 300 block of Harris Lane on Tuesday, and determined the animals were living in filthy conditions, and their health was in jeopardy.
A complaint is what quickly led authorities to seize 53 animals off this property just outside of Whitewright Wednesday morning.
"One of our investigators, who is a deputy with us, and also an investigator with the SPCA of Texas received a telephone call about animal cruelty," said Lt. Sarah Bigham with the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office.
In a joint effort, the Grayson County Sheriff's Office and the SPCA of Texas recovered 36 dogs, 10 cats, 3 roosters, 2 ducks, and 1 rabbit.
"Cats doubled up in small wire crates with one litter box, the animals were infested with fleas, some animals were losing hair, others had extremely long nails and a couple of them were underweight," SPCA's Maura Davies said.
"And it's tough to see when pets don't have a way out of a tiny, tiny cage that's filled with feces and urine," Davies said.
Officials say the animals also appeared to have health issues, including flea infestation, hair loss and severe eye infections.
All surprising news to neighbor Paula Roberts.
"I was very surprised, I have no visible knowledge and haven’t seen anything, other than barking," said Roberts.
Robert’s says the owners, a husband and wife moved into the neighborhood about a year ago.
Michelle Underhill (aka Melissa Underhill, Michelle Stephens Underhill) and Joshua Underhill run a rescue called Texoma Pawfia Animal Rescue.
Many of the neighbors thinking the couple were animal rescuers.
"That’s what I was told when they moved here, not by them, but by family and neighbors that they were with the SPCA, so I assumed they were,” said Roberts.
The SPCA of Texas explained in a news release:
"The animals were found living in urine-soaked, feces encrusted pens and wire crates around the property and inside the house on the property. Some animals found inside the residence were living in crates while others ran loose. The animals appear to have varying health issues, including flea infestation, hair loss, extremely long nails and severe eye issues, and a few are underweight."
"If the animals needed to be apprehended then that's good that they were," said Roberts.
A custody hearing will be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. at 200 S. Crockett St., Sherman, TX 75090, Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1, the Honorable Larry Atherton presiding.
