2 charged after animals found starved

La Marque — Officials announced Tuesday that two women each face eight counts of cruelty to animals after about 20 animals in their kennel were found unfed, in the dark and surrounded by feces.

Although it is part of that office, the county’s animal-control office was not the branch of the Galveston County Health District that started the probe of All About Pampered Pets, 10515 FM 1764. It started on Aug. 15, with an environmental-health investigator.

“We had received an odor complaint, and our initial thought was that it could be due to a problem with the septic system,” said Kurt Koopmann, spokesman for the health district.

The investigator found that the source of the stench was within All About Pampered Pets, a pet-boarding business where 13 dogs were without food or water in a building with no electricity. That meant no air-conditioning, on a day in which temperatures reached 95 degrees in outdoor, shaded areas.

Animal-control agents and La Marque police ultimately found an undisclosed number of fish and birds in the business, as well.

“There was feces everywhere, and it appeared no one was taking care of any of the animals,” First Assistant District Attorney Joel Bennett said.

Although the business’ mailing address is listed as Santa Fe, it lies within the La Marque city limits.

The business’ owners voluntarily turned over the animals to the county office, so no seizure was necessary, Koopmann said. Since reaching the county pound, 10 of the 13 dogs had been euphonized — seven for health reasons and three due to aggression.

Kristi Olszak and Sherry Williams are owner and manager of the business, according to investigators’ reports, although it was not clear Tuesday which woman held which title. Both women face eight counts of cruelty to animals. The charge is a misdemeanor, each of which carries a possible jail term of up to a year, as well as a fine of up to $4,000.

Neither woman was in custody Tuesday.

All About Pampered Pets’ kennel license has also been revoked, meaning it cannot legally board animals. Koopmann said an as-yet-unscheduled hearing would determine whether the license could be reinstated.

For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
409-938-2211 or 409-392-0007
kkoopman@gchd.org