Two More Arrested Following Animal Shelter Investigation

TYLER — Authorities have arrested two more people in connection with the Klein Animal Shelter in Jacksonville. According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Jason Craft, 29, and Ashley Ruhl, 29, were taken into custody by the Jacksonville Police Department. Both are charged with cruelty to non-livestock animals, however, Ruhl is charged with a felony. Craft was booked into the county jail on a $1,000 bond for his misdemeanor. Ruhl’s bond was set at $2,500. Both suspects have been released on bond. On Friday, the shelter’s director, Angela Wallace, was arrested for assault, cruelty to animal and illegal euthanasia. The city of Tyler has since canceled its contract with the shelter and announced Tuesday the purchase of additional cages to house strays until the permanent location is built next year.

In meetings Tuesday, local rescue groups came together to begin formulating a plan with the city of Tyler for the rescue and adoption of animals picked up by city of Tyler Animal Control. That word comes in a news release from the SPCA of East Texas. Other participating groups include Nicholas Pet Haven, Pets Fur People, Fur Giving Hearts, O�Malleys Alley Cats and Smith County Pets Alive. KETK reports the city canceled its contract with Jacksonville’s Klein Animal Shelter after its director was arrested on charges of animal cruelty and euthanasia.

Currently, there is no animal shelter for city of Tyler strays to be reclaimed or rescued and adopted. Preliminary plans indicate approved rescue groups will be allowed to tag and pull homeless pets for adoption once their 72-hour hold has expired. These animals will be held in a temporary holding facility located on SPCA property in South Tyler. Tyler residents will no longer have to travel to Jacksonville to reclaim their lost pets, according to the SPCA. The first group of Tyler animals awaiting rescue was to be pulled Wednesday by the SPCA of East Texas.

As for the animals in the Klein Shelter, SPCA officials say they have been unable to get a return call from Klein representatives. According to the news release, it is the SPCA’s understanding that all animals in the shelter currently will be transferred out of that location by this weekend. The residents of Jacksonville now have no animal shelter. In a phone call Tuesday with Jacksonville Chief of Police Reece Daniel he requested assistance from the SPCA of East Texas, according to the release.

Per the SPCA’s Deborah Dobbs, �Regretfully, the SPCA of East Texas is unable to take on the needs of Cherokee County simultaneous to helping the animals of Tyler and Smith County. We would only be setting ourselves up for failure just like Klein. There is a solution for Jacksonville. For the sake of all homeless pets in Cherokee County, we are encouraging the directors of Klein Animal Shelter to put aside prior disagreements and consider helping their community solve this crisis. Chief Daniel indicated willingness on the part of the city to perhaps purchase or rent the Klein facility. Put the animals first. Proceeds could then be utilized by Klein to further their non-profit efforts in Jacksonville with spay and neuter and adoption on a more manageable scale.�

If you are interested in becoming an SPCA of East Texas foster family, you’re asked to visit http://www.spcaeasttx.com and fill out an application or call 903-596-SPCA or 596-7722. SPCA officials say they will provide you with food and vet care for the animal. You’re also asked to help find permanent homes for the animals. Officials say you can visit the rescue groups’ websites, and those who have facilities like the SPCA are asked to come by and adopt one of its rescues. The SPCA of East Texas is open every Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 5318 Old Bullard Road in Tyler.