ROGERS, TX — The owners of a Bell County home where 23 dogs were seized on March 6 were arrested on Thursday.
According to Rogers police, Samantha Bell and Harley Bell were arrested for the offense of cruelty to animals. Judge Ivy has recommended bond be set at $10,000 each.
At about 2:30 p.m., Samantha Bell was arrested and booked into the Bell County Jail. A phone call was made to Harley Bell and he then turned himself into the Bell County Jail.
Rogers police will contact the Bell County District Attorney's Office to see if they want to pursue charges related to the remainder of he dogs.
A total of 23 dogs were seized from a Bell County home on March 6.
According to Rogers police, on March 6 around 3 p.m., the Rogers Police Department assisted the Bell County Community Supervision on a home visit at 11 Benton Street.
At the door, there was a strong odor of feces. The owners of the home, Harley and Samantha Bell, said they had 24 dogs that did not have vaccinations. 15 of the dogs had never been outdoors. The Bells said the dogs urinated and defecated inside the home.
On March 7 around 9 a.m., Rogers police, the Bell County Sheriff's Department and the Bell County Community Supervision revisited the residence and removed 23 dogs.
Some of the dogs were in a dungeon-like room that had a single chair in it.
Bell County took 20 of the dogs to the animal shelter. Three of the dogs were released to a relative of the owners. At present time the dogs are being adopted and fostered out to different rescues across the Central Texas area, according to Rogers Chief of Police Robert Wireman.
A criminal investigation is being conducted by the Rogers Police Department.
