KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar BluffNine Dogs Rescued From Downtown Cape Home

Nine Dogs Rescued From Downtown Cape Home

Nine Dogs Rescued From Downtown Cape Home
By: Crystal Britt

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - It's another case of alleged animal abuse in the Heartland, this time in downtown Cape Girardeau.

Shaneka Watkins of 220 South Middle Street is accused of neglecting her nine dogs, and not properly disposing of a dead puppy.

Eight of the nine dogs are now at the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri, located in Cape Girardeau. They're all pit bulls or pit mixes. They're very skinny, on one of them you can clearly see her ribs and backbone. One dog looks plump, but rescuers say it's not because she's well fed, she's full of worms.

"All of them need medical care. I don't think they received any medical care at all from the owners," said Requi Salter, Humane Society volunteer. 

Wednesday afternoon Shaneka Watkins learned of her charges from Cape Girardeau Nuisance Abatement Supervisor Ty Metzer.  Metzger says he got the initial call Tuesday night from a concerned neighbor.

"He had seen the animals, couple appeared to be having trouble breathing because the chains and leashes were basically cutting off their airways," said Metzger.  

"The most disturbing thing we found on the property was the deceased puppy. The fact that the puppy had been left laying there for some time in the heat and the other puppies running around it," said Salter. 

Rescuers removed five other puppies. One of those puppies is being treated by a local vet. "It had a large one to two inch cut going across the back, and was about an inch open," said Metzger.  

"Luckily we got to the other puppies. I think they're going to have a good chance of finding homes and hopefully get the happily ever after we want for all of them," said Salter. 

The rescuers say this story should send a powerful message.

"If you're not going to give those basic things as far as clean water and shelter and often, then there's no reason to have a dog," said Salter. 

Heartland News spoke with Shaneka Watkins, she had no comment.  Police say Watkins is cooperating fully with the investigation, and has turned the dogs over to the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri.