Haughton Police Department officers were dispatched to the 400 Block of Union Texas Rd, to investigate a welfare concern of a resident and animals living inside the home on May 23. Upon arrival, officers detected a horrendous smell outside the home and could see dogs in cages that were stacked on top of each other, visible from outside through windows.
After being denied entry, officers obtained a search warrant for the residence and the property. Once inside the residence, officers recovered 13 dogs that were living in appalling conditions. Due to the Bossier parish animal control not having room for the dogs, HPD contacted the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, asking them for assistance from their animal control. Sheriff Parker and his team were essential in assisting HPD in gathering, housing, and caring for all the dogs over the weekend. Officers arrested the resident, Michele Massara, on 13 counts of animal cruelty. Massara is currently being held on a $460,000 bond at the Bossier Maximum Facility.
As of May 27, the dogs are visiting a vet for care and then headed to LAMA Animal Rescue for love and care.
Chief Gibson would like to send a special thanks to Sheriff Jason Parker, Deputy David Dick and the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, LAMA Animal Rescue, and Bossier Parish Animal Control for assisting with the case and HPD officers for having to trench through the horrible conditions.
If anyone is interested in the care of these dogs, donations of Purina One Dog Food, cleaning supplies, bleach, towels, detergent or monetary can be dropped off at the Haughton Police Department. They are working closely with LAMA Animal Rescue in this case, which is still under investigation.