29 ‘neglected’ Cass County dogs officially in Humane Society of Missouri custody – KMBC Kansas City

Dogs seized after more than a year of concerns raised from animal advocates in Cass County
Dogs seized after more than a year of concerns raised from animal advocates in Cass County
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Dogs seized after more than a year of concerns raised from animal advocates in Cass County
Twenty-nine dogs a judge deemed in ‘neglected’ condition are now in the full legal custody of the Humane Society of Missouri after deputies seized them from a property south of Pleasant Hill in December.
The development comes after their former owner Kalen K. Kunkel, 67, could not produce more than $27,000 to pay for veterinarian bills after a judge’s ruling last week.
KMBC 9 Investigates has documented conditions on Kunkel’s property since August, showing dogs chained to rubbish, old vehicles, and fences. Deputies seized the dogs at the property along South Roush Road near the intersection of East State Route on Dec. 22, 2022, when temperatures reached below zero.
“This is the outcome that we envisioned,” said Kathy Warnick, president of the Humane Society of Missouri, in a statement. “We are thrilled with the court’s decision and thankful for the opportunity to continue providing these dogs with compassionate, state-of-the-art veterinary care and give them a second chance at a brighter future.”
Many of the dogs are suffering from frostbite, heartworms, or other serious health issues. Each dog’s treatment plan will be updated based on their individual needs and the dogs will be made available for adoption as they recover, according to the HSMO.@kmbc
The Humane Society said the dogs will now receive spay and neuter surgeries, additional treatment, and socialization at the Humane Society of Missouri in St. Louis.
Last week, a Cass County Sheriff’s lieutenant testified that deputies saw the dogs prancing during the sub-zero temperatures, noting that the behavior indicates frostbite settling into their paws.
Kim Placke, practice manager at Raintree Animal Health Center, also testified about the conditions of all 29 dogs taken into custody.
A veterinarian at Raintree, she said, used an assessed body condition score to document the dogs’ body condition. She noted only six of the 29 dogs had an ideal body composition score of five. Every other dog, Placke testified, had lower body condition scores.
She testified several dogs showed signs of emaciation, heartworm-positive tests, lacerations, and dental problems. She said one dog required emergency surgery after the seizure.
Kunkel is not charged in the case. He declined to speak to KMBC last week.
Several animal advocates, including Danna Armstrong and Michelle Brinkoetter, have led an effort to draw attention to the dogs’ plight for more than a year.
“It’s a big sigh of relief,” said Armstrong. “I’m just thankful for everybody who stepped up.”
“It’s a huge step for those dogs,” Brinkoetter said. “They’re not going to suffer anymore.”
Both said they are waiting to hear if any charges might come from the case and what the outcome might be of an investigation into Kunkel’s property as an illegal salvage yard.
Cass County Zoning, Building, and Environmental Health Director Tom Krahenbuhl said he had forwarded the salvage yard case to the Cass County ordinance prosecutor after he said, ‘It appears that little to no clean-up has occurred,’ on Kunkel’s property since he was first put on notice.
They also said they believe there is one more dog on the property. An email to Cass County Sheriff’s office regarding any other dog was not immediately returned.
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