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Barchard Shelter staff face animal cruelty charges

SPCA of Texas
The shelter was shut down and the animals relocated on July 23.

Two people associated with the recently closed Frank Barchard Memorial Animal Shelter are now facing criminal charges.

Jo Ann McIntier, 61, of Wolfe City, and Joel Glenn McIntier, 21, of Wolfe City, have both been charged with two counts of cruelty to non-livestock animals.

The charges allege that in July of this year, the two “intentionally, knowingly or recklessly failed unreasonably to provide food, water, care or shelter for an animal.” In this case, the animals are dogs and cats in the care of the shelter.

Joel McIntier was served with an arrest warrant on Sept. 18 and was released on a personal recognizance bond, according to the Greenville Herald-Banner. A discovery hearing in his case is scheduled for Oct. 15.

Area law enforcement officials working with the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Texas seized more than 200 animals from the Frank Barchard Memorial Shelter in Wolfe City on July 23. SPCA staff said that the animals were suffering from neglect and were living in unhealthy conditions. The animals were transported to an SPCA-operated shelter in McKinney.

Hunt County Judge Sheila Linden awarded custody of the animals to the SPCA on Aug. 14.Linden also awarded $61,876.60 in restitution to the SPCA for the cost of the investigation, expert witnesses, housing and care for the animals. The decision was not appealed.

Dr. Terri Stevenson of the SPCA testified that 135 of the animals had hookworms, 154 of them were infested with ticks, and 95 percent of them had fleas. She also said that 10 percent of the dogs had heartworms and 17 percent had respiratory infections.

Four animals were found dead at the shelter in various stages of decomposition.

Charges were filed through the Hunt County Attorney’s office on Sept. 8 to be heard in Hunt County Court-at-Law No. 2.

The charges are Class A misdemeanors, punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $4,000, or both.

Mark Haslett has served at KETR since 2013. Since then, the station's news operation has enjoyed an increase in listener engagement and audience metrics, as well recognition in the Texas AP Broadcasters awards.
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