OKC Animal Welfare rescues multiple animals from property with history of animal cruelty

Investigation into the case continues as authorities remove horses, cats, and rabbits from the home.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 12:10am

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Oklahoma City Animal Welfare rescued multiple animals, including horses, cats, and rabbits, from a property in eastern Oklahoma County on Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation into animal neglect. The property owner has a history of animal cruelty, having pled guilty to seven counts in 2019 after hundreds of animals were seized at a different location.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of animal cruelty and the challenges in preventing repeat offenses, as the property owner was able to relocate and continue mistreating animals despite a prior conviction. It raises questions about the need for stronger punishments and better monitoring of known offenders to protect vulnerable animals.

The details

Outside the home on North Hiwassee, OKC Animal Welfare secured several animals from makeshift enclosures and cluttered areas in the backyard. The organization said that due to the active investigation, they could not release further information. Property records confirmed the owner is tied to a prior animal cruelty case, having pled guilty to seven counts in 2019 after hundreds of animals were seized at a different location.

  • On Wednesday, OKC Animal Welfare rescued the animals from the property.
  • In 2019, the property owner pled guilty to seven counts of animal cruelty after hundreds of animals were seized at a different location.

The players

OKC Animal Welfare

The animal welfare organization that rescued the animals from the property.

Kenneth Grant

A former Choctaw animal control officer who described the previous animal cruelty case involving the property owner as "the worst animal cruelty case he'd ever seen."

Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue

An organization that has previously taken in more than 20 horses from the same property owner and expressed frustration over the repeated offenses.

Natalee Cross

A representative from Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue who said the organization is frustrated that the property owner is able to relocate and continue mistreating animals.

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What they’re saying

“I understand in a lot of cases it's mental illness. It's a hoarding-type of situation, but we need to be taking it more seriously, and why these people are able to relocate and continue to do this time and time again is very frustrating. We need to be stronger about making sure if they are repeat offenders, they should be getting harsher punishments. They shouldn't be allowed to just relocate and continue to buy animals.”

— Natalee Cross, representative, Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue

“the worst animal cruelty case he'd ever seen," saying that the animals were "skin and bones.”

— Kenneth Grant, former Choctaw animal control officer

What’s next

The judge will decide on formal charges against the property owner in the current case.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in preventing repeat animal cruelty offenses and the need for stronger punishments and better monitoring of known offenders to protect vulnerable animals from further abuse.