We Care Wildlife Sanctuary facing allegations of severe neglect

In a court hearing that spanned two days, prosecutors and animal welfare experts laid out a case with allegations of starvation, death and decomposition at Bandera-based ‘We Care Animal Sanctuary.’  The accusations were leveled against the facility beginning on September 4, when a team from several agencies served a search warrant.

In an affadavit, Precinct Two Constable Greg Spengler wrote he had received photographs of several malnourished horses and one dead horse/colt at the facility, which is located on Park Road 37 in the Lake hills area.  The Facebook page of the organization reads “We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and provide animals a home.”

The Constable asked for and was granted permission to bring veterinarians to assess the physical condition of the horses and other animals at the facility, to look for evidence of abused, mistreated or neglected animals.  According to Cesar Perea, the Associate Vice President of the Rescue division of the American Humane Society, “The conditions of the animals on the property was bad and it was all due to basic lack of husbandry, food and water, and basic veterinary care.  These animals were not being provided the very basics that they required to sustain their life.”

“I would say this case is definitely one of the top 10 worst that I’ve seen in my career, and I’ve seen some horrific cruelty in my career,” Perea said.  Officials estimated there were anywhere from 15 to 20 bodies strewn throughout in different levels of decomposition.

Bandera County Precinct Two Justice of the Peace Gina Grothues presided over the hearing Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning.  Grothues expressed dismay when neither the sanctuary owner, Armando Mendez, nor his attorneys showed up for the proceeding.  Court personnel tried to reach the parties by phone but were unable to get in touch with them.  The proceedings moved forward.

Officials say more than 100 living animals were seized from the property and taken to a secure location to be evaluated and treated.  Dr. Susan Heath, a veterinarian who examined the animals seized, explained that professionals can evaluate the condition of animals using a Body Condition Score system that involves a 9-point scale.  A score of 4 or more is considered ideal.  Heath told the judge many of the animals she examined scored four or below.

In closing, County Attorney Janna Lindig told the judge the county does have the authority to protect animals from cruelty and hold animal owners responsible for their care.  In discussing a settlement agreement, the judge was told that Mendez was asking to keep a number of pets including dogs, a donkey, birds, goats and frogs.  In the interest of moving the case forward, Grothues said she would accept allowing some animals to remain with strict conditions.  The stipulations included: no new animals are to be brought into the property for five years and there would be unannounced surprise visits by Bandera County law enforcement for a period of ten years.

The judge went on to set a deadline for all remaining animals to be spayed or neutered and there would be no animal breeding of any kind.  Grothues also said all the remaining carcasses on the site need to be buried properly or removed.The judge said Mendez has ten days to file an appeal of the ruling and that if they don’t appeal, the order stands.

If there is an appeal, the case will move forward in court again, if Mendez is able to post a bond that will cover the cost of all care and feeding for the animals that will accrue on a daily basis while the case is argued.  Perea said the investigation is far from over.  While a decision hangs in the balance, the more than 100 animals that were seized remain under the care of veterinarians and others in secure facilities.

More information about the services provided by the rescue group is available at www. American humane.org.