Joselito Rivera Boado agreed today to forfeit all but two of the 1,009 animals seized last week under an animal cruelty warrant to the Houston Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Boado also agreed to deliver title to 6519 Breen, Houston, where he had kept the animals, to Harris County for the use and benefit of the SPCA. The SPCA is caring for the animals.

The agreement allows two small dogs that Boado claims are his children’s pets to be given to the children’s mother when the dogs are healthy and have been neutered and spayed.

Harris County Vince Ryan, who represented the State of Texas in the case, said, “We think this is a fair settlement for a horrible situation. These animals have been treated in a despicably cruel manner because Mr. Boado didn’t want to spend money caring for them, and he will loose the animals and his property.” The settlement does not resolve any criminal charges that could be filed, Ryan said.

Boado and his lawyers negotiated the settlement with Ryan and assistant County Attorneys Mimi Han and Linda Geffin just before a custody hearing before Justice of the Peace David Patronella. The hearing could have resulted in forfeiture of the animals and a judgment against Boado for the cost of care of the animals, estimated to be more than $200,000.

Boado sold a variety of animals at area flea markets. The animals removed on September 23 included ducks, geese, iguanas, turtles, hamsters, chickens, a goat, a small horse, parrots, parakeets, and finches. Three dogs were removed. Many of the animals had no food or water.

The animals were removed by Harris County Precinct One Constables and the Houston SPCA Cruelty Investigation Team on September 23 after an anonymous tip was received. It was one of the largest animal cruelty seizures in the United States.

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