FLOWER MOUND, Tex. (CNN/WFAA) -- Nearly 100 dogs, most showing signs of severe neglect are abandoned around the Dallas/Fort Worth area in just two days. Police say this may be the result of a new Texas law regulating dog breeders.
It was 1:19 Tuesday morning when the 911 call came in reporting a pack of dogs running loose in Flower Mound. Trae Malone with Flower Mound Animal Services says, "When I arrived, there were pretty much dogs from Stonecrest all the way to the end, and we went one by one till we got them all."
A police cruiser camera recorded the roundup: 51 Maltese pups which had been living in absolute filth. Capt. Richard Brooks with Flower Mound Police says, "Other than the condition of their coat, which is covered with mud and feces."
Police say no one had emptied their cages, bathed them, or brushed them for at least six months. And 26 hours after these guys appeared, someone dumped 40 Cavalier King Charles spaniels, and one cocker spaniel about 3 a.m. Wednesday 30 miles north also in Denton County. Peggy Brown with the Humane Society of North Texas says, "They're in pretty rough shape as far as, you know, they're dirty, they're stinky, they're matted."
Just more than a month ago, Texas began requiring dog and cat breeders to obtain a license by undergoing an inspection. Brooks says, "So we believe this release of the animals was to avoid that."
Two animal cruelty investigations are underway. Brooks says, "And we're going to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law."
But detectives know these cases are likely linked. Brooks says, "Well, I don't know if it's the same one or not, but it's a pretty big coincidence if it's not."
Animal control officials say the dogs are relatively healthy and they will likely be up for adoption next week.