One day after animals seized, Tyler County owner speaks out

A Tyler County woman tonight says she knows she couldn't care for all of her animals.

Yesterday the Houston SPCA and Tyler County Sheriff's Deputies seized about 30 horses, nearly 20 dogs, 6 puppies and 2 birds from property just East of Hillister.

"I drove home to find a seizure notice on my door and all my horses gone," says Vyonda Lowe, the owner of the animals.

Vyonda Lowe says she returned home from a hospital stay to find almost all of her animals gone, only a few of her dogs remained.

Yesterday, authorities seized 31 horses, about 20 dogs and 2 birds from Lowe's property.

The animals were taken to Houston for treatment.

"Plain and simple fact, see animals in distress, you take action. Just that simple," says Sheriff David Hennigan.

Tyler County Sheriff David Hennigan says the animals were malnourished. You could see the horses' ribs and hip bones, especially the younger ones.

"I love my animals and I would never mistreat them," says Lowe.

Lowe says she always fed the animals, and during her hospital stay a neighbor looked after them. But Lowe also concedes she knew she couldn't care for all of the animals and had been trying to find a new home for them.

When we asked her about the dog seen here ..

"I have no idea. No idea what could've happened between the 4-5 days I've been gone," says Lowe.

But Sherrif Hennigan says it took longer than a week for the animals to deteriorate to this state.

"It's a sad situation considering her health history and the incidents happening in the past surrounding her," says Sheriff Hennigan.

Lowe says she just wants to continue caring for animals.

"Nobody else will, there's no one else out here that will," says Lowe.

At least for now authorities will take over the job of caring for Lowe's animals.

The animals will be held by the Houston SPCA until a court hearing set for July 20th in the Tyler County Justice Center.