Operation Pressure Cooker: Untold suffering for animals trapped in the Louisiana heat

After an urgent request from law enforcement, the ARC Field Team drove through the night for an emergency rescue and Animal Rescue Corps’ fourth case in three weeks. The team arrived in rural Louisiana today for the emergency rescue of 29 dogs and 5 cats in unimaginable conditions trapped in a home crowded with waste and suffering. These animals were betrayed by a so-called “rescue,” taken in by a representative from an entity called Hope AngelsRescue only to face lives suffering slowly in brutal conditions.

Animals in the house were hungry, woefully neglected, and living in their own waste. Temperatures soared to over 105 degrees in this filthy “home” surrounded by the acrid stench of ammonia. Ammonia readings were are one of ARC’s highest on record, and dangerously unhealthy.

Even with protective gear, one of the Field Team members said, “you could feel it on your eyeballs when you walked in. So bad.”

Everyone here had suffered. This grim situation came to light after a visit from Child Protective Services (CPS).

Even the young children in the house were thin and hungry. The pantry door was locked to keep them out.

CPS immediately alerted authorities. First responders to the scene put down food and water for the survivors and called Animal Rescue Corps with the urgent SOS.

The resident has been arrested and charged with 32 felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and 3 felony counts of cruelty to juveniles. The children were removed from the house and placed safely in CPS custody. In Bienville Parish, Louisiana, though, there was no safe place for these animals. There was no animal control, there was no animal shelter.

Animal Rescue Corps was founded for situations like this one.

Well-meaning community members had been trying to open windows to help — but outside, alligators patiently waited for an animal to escape from the house and its fenced yard.

Animals at the scene suffered from untreated injuries, infections, parasites, and palpable neglect. One dog, Ginger, was severely dehydrated and visibly weak.

ARC and the devoted team from Animal Rescue New Orleans rescued every surviving animal today for transport back to ARC’s Rescue Center, where they will receive medical, social, and physical care – and, eventually, placement with our trustworthy, vetted placement partners to find loving homes.

With your help, their new lives begin now.

Mistreated animals like the Operation Pressure Cooker 34 have endured horrendous suffering and betrayal. They cannot wait for help and, because of support like yours, ARC can be the rescue they need.

Right now there is a matching challenge in effect, thanks to caring ARC friend Fran, and your gift to help these animals and ARC’s lifesaving work will be doubled until the $15,000 match is met.

If you are in a position to help today with a donation to support ARC’s work, please do. Your gift can go twice as far to help.

And, if you are in a position to volunteer, please sign up today. Opportunities are always available in ARC’s Rescue Center outside Nashville, TN, as well as sometimes nationally and beyond. We sometimes offer travel stipends.