Summerdale police received a tip on Thursday from a neighbor of the Purple Hearted Puppies Rescue facility in Summerdale, Alabama that animals were in distress. The call prompted police to investigate, but the force was not prepared for what they found. The animals at the location had not been given food or water for close to two weeks. At least 20 dogs and several cats were dead, although some news reports claim as many as 43 animals died.
Related: Dozens of Animals Found Dead at Alabama Shelter
The parties responsible, Sharon Dueitt and her mother, Roberta, were both released on $20,000 bond Friday; they have each been charged with 20 counts of animal abuse. The charges are all misdemeanors, but police and prosecutors are expecting to elevate some of the charges to felonies. They are also expecting to bring more charges against the women as additional animals had to be euthanized from being in such poor condition.
There has been a civil case pending to close down the facility, which opened just last June. Although they have been operating just within the law, the conditions at the shelter were filthy, according to animal advocates. Eddie Ingram, Chief of Summerdale Police, said that there had been very hot weather this week, and when they opened the buildings where the cats were housed it was over 100 degrees inside.
“The dogs outside at least had access to water from the rain we had yesterday,” Ingram said “but the animals inside had nothing.” About one hundred and forty animals made it out alive with the help of the Baldwin County Humane Society.
“Some of those animals that were still alive would have been better off dead.” Ingram said. “BARC has been just great getting those animals out of there.”
The Facebook page for Purple Hearted Puppies Rescue was disabled today in the wake of last night’s events, but the rescue’s owner, Sharon Dueitt, posted a message on her personal page:
(sic) I think it time everyone heard mine and my mothers side.
First off I didnt know the animals was in that bad shape I had people working for me people who I thought I could trust and who called me daily telling me he and his wife been taking care of the animsl.
I had no reason to doubt him and his wife..
I didnt run off I was sick so was my mother with the stomach flu.
My worker told me not to worry he take care of everything for me to rest and take care off my mother who is already in bad health..
Believe me if I knew half of it, if someone would have told me I wouldve been there on my death bed taking care of the animals..
My heart and soul are animals, I NEVER WOULDVE HAVE HEARED ANIMAL IN MY LIFE..
I trusted someone else who gave me his word that he was taking care of them.
No one wants to listen to me and my mother.
Please hear our of the story for you all judge us.
Dueitt had hired an employee to feed the animals at PHP, but when he had not been paid in almost two weeks, he abandoned the job. Summerdale police were questioning the man Friday, but did not place him under arrest.
Friday afternoon, the investigation had moved on to the Dueitt’s home in Robertsdale, where it was reported that 15 more untended animals had been found. Summerdale police believe that after making bail today, Sharon and Roberta Dueitt may have been arrested by police in Roberstdale where they reside, but Robertsdale Police could not be reached for comment.
Dueitt and her mother are scheduled to appear in Summerdale Municipal Court.
Approximately 40 people volunteered at the facility in Summerdale this morning to help clear out the remains left behind. Many brought donations of food, blankets and other pet supplies for the animals, however one volunteer was subsequently arrested for trying to steal portions of the donated food.
The Baldwin County Humane Society is in need funds to vet the rescued animals and to purchase food and supplies. Those interested can donate on their website: Baldwin County Humane Society.
About the author: Ariel Wulff is an author, artist and animal advocate. She has worked in animal rescue for more than 24 years, authoring the book Born Without a Tail, a memoir of her experiences with rescued animals. She writes a column as the Cleveland Pets Examiner, and is the National Animal Books Examiner. She also maintains a personal blog about dogs: Up on the Woof, and uses her yelodoggie art to spread the joy of living with dogs.
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