Houston SPCA: Spring home at center of major animal rescue one of most toxic sites ever encountered

Houston SPCA staff rescued close to 200 animals from a Spring home that rescuers said was one of the most toxic environments they ever encountered. Houston SPCA staff rescued close to 200 animals from a Spring home that rescuers said was one of the most toxic environments they ever encountered. Photo: Title Slide Photo: Title Slide Image 1 of / 26 Caption Close Houston SPCA: Spring home at center of major animal rescue one of most toxic sites ever encountered 1 / 26 Back to Gallery

Animals ranging from dogs and cats to chickens, pigs and exotic birds were seized Tuesday night from a home in Spring, according to officials with the Montgomery County Pct. 3 Constable's Office and the Houston SPCA.

Approximately 191 animals were removed from inside and outside the home located at 2700 block of Leichester Drive in the Fox Run subdivision, including geese, turkeys and one iguana, authorities said. Many of the animals were found running loose in rooms filled with dirt, feces and urine and required immediate medical attention, according to the Houston SPCA.

A chicken rescue group reported the home to authorities. Montgomery County Pct. 3 Captain Daniel Zientek said the homeowners surrendered most of the animals but did not want to surrender about 30 parrots because of sentimental attachment. In turn, a civil asset forfeiture warrant signed by Pct. 3 Justice of Peace Judge Matt Beasley was issued and the SPCA was called in.

Houston SPCA staff and about four Pct. 3 deputies worked well into the night recovering the animals from what rescuers are calling one of the most deplorable cases they've seen. One bird was found dead inside one of the bedrooms. It is unclear how long the animal had been deceased.

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"We never imagined that we would find nearly 80 hens and roosters living in small bedrooms," Houston SPCA Chief Cruelty Investigator Adam Reynolds said in a release. "The ammonia levels that we encountered inside the house rank as one of the most toxic environments that we have encountered."

The animals are currently receiving individualized care by Houston SPCA veterinarians and animal care staff. Zientek said whether the homeowners will face criminal charges will be determined by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, citing the animals’ health as the first priority.

Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com