Keller woman charged with animal cruelty after 111 animals seized

A Keller woman is in custody and charged with animal cruelty after more than 100 animals were seized.

Deborah Thompson, 56, is accused of keeping 111 dogs and cats in unhealthy conditions at a Keller home where her mother also lived. Animal control raided the home last week.

While police were investigating, they say Thompson tried to get rid of some of the animals by setting them free in the backyard.

According to an affidavit, a detective "looked through the fence slate and observed Deborah pushing and tossing cats out of her back door."

The judge on Thursday awarded custody of the animals to the Humane Society of North Texas, which seized the animals about two weeks ago.

“I can't in good conscience release these animals back to that home,” the judge said.

After the judge's ruling, Keller police wasted no time arresting Thompson on animal cruelty charges.

"This is the biggest animal hoarding abuse case that we've had in Keller," said Keller Police Capt. Tommy Simmons.

Police say Thompson kept the animals at her mother's home, but the homeowner is not part of the investigation.

Keller Animal Control and the Humane Society seized 27 dogs and 84 cats. A veterinarian told a municipal judge the animals were in horrible conditions.

"It's a cruel situation these animals were kept in,” said Sandy Shelly, Humane Society of North Texas. “Just from the court, we found out the temperature in the garage was 109 degrees. The animals are emaciated, parasite-infested inside and out."

The Humane Society told the judge this is the third time they have seized animals from Thompson since 2013.

Her mother showed up with a lawyer claiming three of the animals seized are her pets and wanted them back, but the judge refused.

Thompson gave up the animals to the Humane Society and didn't appear in court Thursday.

The animal cruelty charge is a misdemeanor.