posted 03-17-2004 09:29 AM         

The driver, an unidentified woman, who stated she had been evicted in Tennessee, left the gas station without paying. When authorities stopped her, they found a dozen dogs in the cab and 40 animals in the back, mostly dogs, but also cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and a rat. At least six of the animals were dead.

The Humane Society of Missouri said it is holding more than 50 emaciated animals that authorities discovered Monday in a truck that stopped to refuel in Ste. Genevieve, south of St. Louis.

A citizen alerted the Sheriff's Department after noticing a strong smell from the rear of the truck.

The Humane Society said the Sheriff's Department arrested the woman and is holding her on four counts of animal abuse. As many as 50 more counts of abuse and neglect are expected to be filed Tuesday March 16, 2004.

"We are angry and appalled at the conditions these animals were living in," said Debbie Hill, interim director of the Humane Society's Rescues and Investigations department.
stated some of the dogs wore muzzles and bore scars from them.

The Humane Society said the animals were severely malnourished, including one that was so starved it had to be rushed to emergency care. Others required blood transfusions and treatment for wounds and infections.

They had been living in a filthy, contaminated environment without ventilation. Some dogs were in cages so small they couldn't stand up.

Several of the dogs were basset hounds, others were mixed breeds, including Chihuahua mixes and puppies.

The woman signed the animals over to the Humane Society, which rushed them to its St. Louis County branch for treatment.