The Crittenden County Sheriff’s Department recognized the staff at the West Memphis Animal Shelter with an Appreciation Award on Thursday, acknowledging their crucial role in a significant animal hoarding bust in May.
Shelter director Kerry Facello and her team played an instrumental part in rescuing 72 dogs and one cat, which deputies discovered living in squalid conditions at a house in the southern part of the county. The shelter named the rescue mission “Operation Bridge over Muddy Waters.”
Officials from the sheriff’s department praised the shelter’s crew for their “love and compassion for the animals in the rescue operation.”
The bust led to charges against three adults: Victoria Martinez, Martin Miller, and W.L. Crump. Additionally, the Department of Human Services removed three small children from the home.
Facello described the situation to Action News 5, expressing her astonishment at the sheer number of animals found. “The numbers are mind-boggling and overwhelming, to say the least,” she said.
On Thursday, officials extended their gratitude to the shelter for providing care to the rescued animals. Alongside the award, a check was presented to cover any expenses the shelter incurred while caring for the animals.
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