13 arrested on charges of animal cruelty in roundup
Deputies from the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office on Saturday arrested 13 suspects wanted on outstanding animal cruelty charges, including one man accused of housing more than 200 animals in “deplorable conditions without access even to water.”
The arrests stem from cases opened months or even years ago, as part of an operation that has previously targeted suspected animal abusers.
During the sweeping roundup Saturday, deputies cleared 25 warrants, giving the remaining 12 suspects — who were not at the locations targeted by deputies — until Friday to turn themselves in.
“If not, we will be out looking for you, and we will arrest you,” said Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen. “And so, it’s better to go ahead and get this resolved by turning yourself in.”
Some of the cases, which cover a range of animal cruelty charges, began as early as 2017, Rosen said. In some cases, investigators from Rosen’s office and the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals worked with defendants, seeking to improve the animals’ living conditions.
Upon discovering examples of potential animal cruelty, Rosen said, investigators typically do not arrest suspects immediately. Instead, they often have veterinarians assess animals’ health issues caused by the abuse, which Rosen said determines whether his office should pursue a criminal case or seize the animals through civil action.
In March, investigators began working with Edmond Megdal in an attempt to improve conditions for more than 200 animals, including birds, turtles, mice, rabbits and bearded dragons, discovered in his home.
Megdal was arrested Saturday, though officials transported him to a hospital after discovering a “health condition led him to need medical attention,” according to Rosen’s office.
People who spot instances of animal cruelty can call the constable’s 24/7 hotline at 832-9271659 or a similar HSPCA tip line at 713-869-7722.
“The only way we’re going to be able to solve this problem is by getting everyday citizens to be involved and reporting animal cruelty cases,” Rosen said.