A Missouri man was arrested in connection with the deaths of eight puppies that were found in a sealed plastic tote outside a Humane Society.
Seth Vaile, 30, faces eight counts of misdemeanor animal abuse, according to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.
According to a probable cause statement, the sealed plastic tote was placed partially “between some bushes, halfway on the sidewalk, and in the sun” outside the Humane Society around 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8.
A veterinarian determined that the puppies died from heat exhaustion.
“It was very sad,” Derek Walrod, Chief Deputy with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, tells us. “I don’t know why they would do it when they were closed. It definitely could have been avoided.”
Walrod says “the veterinarian said the puppies were estimated to be about five weeks old.”
In a Facebook post, the Joplin Humane Society said the puppies were left in a spot not easily seen by staff.
“Why did you not leave them by the door where they could be found?” said Connie, the director of the Joplin Humane Society in the post. “We are all heartbroken at these senseless deaths … I am asking for your help to spread the word that this is NOT OKAY!”
According to police, surveillance footage and tips from the public lead to the arrest of Vaile.
“Through the investigation and the help from concerned citizens sharing the post that the Joplin Humane Society had posted, several anonymous called with information,” per a Jasper County Sheriff’s Office press release.
Samuel Allen, 36, was listed “as a person of interest” and was taken into custody for alleged outstanding warrants, according to the sheriff’s office.
The sheriff’s office said officers are continuing to investigate the deaths and more charges may be filed at a later time.
