MONTGOMERY, Texas — The owners of more than 30 dogs are being investigated after a viral video showed a large group of their dogs hurting a smaller one at their Montgomery County home.
Deputies said they started receiving calls Wednesday about the possibility of animal cruelty happening at the home on Hall Drive, which is near Highway 249. They were flooded with even more calls when a video was posted to social media showing multiple dogs hurting a puppy. It's unknown if all the dogs involved lived on the same property.
The homeowners voluntarily surrendered their 37 dogs, including 14 puppies, to the Houston SPCA.
"Some of the dogs are emaciated and have medical issues including anemia and lameness," the animal rescue organization said.
This isn't the first time deputies have been called to this home to check on the dogs
"To my knowledge, we have received a prior call in 2022," said Chief Deputy David Eason. "Our investigators did come out here. It was unfounded at the time. There was no cruelty to animals."
No charges have been filed against the homeowners as of Thursday. Deputies said they're still working to see if this was a case of animal cruelty, hoarding or just people bringing in too many dogs and the situation got out of hand.
"We still have to determine whether or not it meets those elements for dogfighting or animal cruelty," said Eason. "This could be an instance where it's a hoarder situation or could just be an owner who loves animals and who's collected too many over over time."
Montgomery County deputies said within the county, they can't regulate how many dogs a person has. Once the investigation is complete deputies says they will hand the information over to the Montgomery County District Attorney's office.
"We're not going to tolerate in Montgomery County animal cruelty at any level," said Mark Keough Montgomery County Judge.