By Daniela Julio-Cano, FOX23 News
TULSA, Okla. — Two women arrested in connection with a Tulsa animal cruelty investigation now face increased charges after authorities discovered dozens of animals living in neglected conditions at two separate properties.
Tulsa Animal Services and the Humane Society of Tulsa shared an update Tuesday, November 10, on the ongoing investigation and the care being provided to the surviving animals.
Deputy Director of Tulsa Animal Services Colton Jones said the updated charges were agreed upon following discussions with the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office.
“The initial charges that were filed whenever both Marsha and Sasha were arrested were actually agreed with the district attorney’s office to go ahead and increase those to a single count of animal cruelty for all alive and deceased animals,” Jones said.
According to information provided by Tulsa Animal Services, Marcia Reynolds faces 44 counts of animal cruelty connected to the animals removed from the South Memorial Drive property. Sasha Smith faces 44 counts, including 15 additional counts connected to animals found at a second property.
The investigation began November 4th at a home near 12th Street and South Memorial Drive. Authorities found 24 live animals and approximately 19 deceased dogs inside the residence.
According to Tulsa police, officers and animal welfare personnel noticed a strong odor of death and heavy insect activity outside the home. A search of the property revealed unsanitary conditions, with trash, animal feces and urine throughout the residence and animals housed in stacked metal crates.
Reynolds, 44, was arrested at the scene.
A follow-up investigation on November 5th led authorities to a second residence near East 16th Street and South Garnett Road, where they discovered another 14 dogs and one cat living in neglected conditions. Investigators reported finding dogs in metal crates surrounded by dried feces and urine, with no accessible food or water.
The animals were removed from the property for care and evaluation. Smith, the owner of Mercy Sakes 2nd Chance Dog Rescue, was arrested November 7.
While the investigation continues, animal welfare officials say the surviving animals have significant medical needs.
The Humane Society of Tulsa initially received 36 dogs from the two locations. One dog, known to the community as Victor, died approximately 30 hours after arriving.
“He was starved, he was emaciated, he was in really bad shape,” President of the Humane Society of Tulsa Gina Gardner said.
The organization currently has 35 dogs in its care.
Gina Gardner said 27 of those dogs are on a strict refeeding plan.
“We have 27 of the 35 dogs on a strict what we call refeeding plan. They’ve been starved for so long that their bodies don’t know how to process food and water,” Gardner said.
The dogs are being monitored while they eat and drink to help prevent complications during recovery.
The organization is also treating animals for infections, open wounds, anemia, and calcium deficiencies. Eleven dogs have tested positive for heartworm.
“We are doing about 131 treatments every single day, which means that they are having to be special feed, or receiving medication or some kind of treatment. A lot of the dogs had to receive fluid supportive therapy in those first days, I am happy to report most of those have hydrated enough to be off of that,” Gardner said.
Tulsa Animal Services Manager Sherri Carrier said all of the animals have been surrendered to the agency. However, they are not yet available for adoption or transfer.
Carrier said Tulsa Animal Services and the Humane Society will work together to determine when the animals are healthy enough to be placed with new families or transferred to partner organizations.
Officials also addressed concerns about how the animals ended up at the two properties. Carrier said investigators are still gathering information and working to identify where the animals came from. Some reportedly came from individuals in the community, while others may have come from animal rescue organizations across Oklahoma.
Tulsa Animal Services is also asking HVAC companies or repair workers who serviced the system at 1219 S. Memorial Drive, as well as dumpster rental companies that delivered a dumpster to the property, to contact investigators.
Anyone with information can contact Deputy Director Colton Jones at 918-596-8002, Senior Animal Control Investigator Pete Theriot at 918-596-8088 or email cruelty@cityoftulsa.org.
Officials say the investigation remains active. They are also encouraging residents to rely on updates from Tulsa Police, Tulsa Animal Services and the Humane Society of Tulsa as the case continues.
