By John Dobberstein, Editor
Animal welfare officers conducting a follow-up investigation related to the Mercy Sakes Second Chance Dog Rescue cruelty case seized 14 more dogs and a cat from a second location Thursday.
Tulsa Animal Services said they confirmed more animals were at the second location in the 12300 block of East 6th Street and requested assistance from Tulsa Police Department.
Officers from both departments found unsanitary living conditions and animals with visible bone structures. The animals are now in the care of Tulsa Animal Services.
On Wednesday, authorities removed 22 live animals and 19 dead dogs from Mercy Sakes location near 12th and Memorial. Marcia Reynolds was arrested and charged with 29 counts of animal cruelty.
Authorities clarified Friday that the team conducted examinations and loaded animals in the property driveway rather than on a busy street to ensure the safety officers, staff and the animals.
“Animal cruelty investigations are very emotional for the community, our officers, and staff on scene who care for the animals after they are rescued,” TAS said.
“Additionally, when on the scene of these investigations, the team must evaluate the animal’s health and provide immediate medical attention when necessary. Lastly, we must obtain evidence related to the investigation. That includes photographing, examining, and cataloging each animal before, during, and after removal.”
When the original search warrant was served at Mercy Sakes Wednesday, TAS said numerous animal advocates were on scene wanting to photograph animals so people and organizations could see whether the animals they were previously connected with were still alive.
“We understand and appreciate the animal advocates in our community and their passion for animals and their welfare. That said, Tulsa Animal Services was not trying to block anyone from seeing what animals were being impounded, but we did need to create a workable area for our officers, police officers, and veterinary staff to complete the required examinations and documentation necessary for the investigation,” TAS said.
“For those who may have felt we were trying to block them from seeing the animals, these situations must remain controlled, so our personnel can safely complete the required examinations and documentation.”
TAS said many people and organizations have reached out asking about specific animals, but they are asking for patience with TAS and the Humane Society of Tulsa as they follow thr legal process, care for the animals, conduct additional medical exams and get them settled after the transition.
Those with identifying information, such as a microchip number for a specific animal, TAS can attempt to provide an answer.
“Please know that we will not share specific animal information, and responses will only indicate whether the animal is safe, recovered deceased, or not recovered,” TAS said. “We can try to use pictures to identify dogs who were recovered alive, but due to advanced decomposition, we may not be able to visually identify some deceased animals.”
𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭s 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐣𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬@𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐬𝐚.𝐨𝐫𝐠 𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐥@𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐬.𝐨𝐫𝐠. D𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬.
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐫, 𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.
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