8 puppies die in a sealed plastic tote: Cops

Two men from Missouri have been charged in connection with the deaths of eight puppies, who were left to die of heat exhaustion inside a sealed plastic tote outside a closed humane society.

30-year-old Seth Vail faces eight counts of animal abuse, while 36-year-old Samuel Allen, is also facing charges as part of the ongoing investigation, according to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.

The discovery was made on Sunday when workers at the Jasper County Humane Society found the puppies dead inside the tote, which had been left outside the facility at 140 E. Emperor Lane.

Deputies were called to the scene on Monday morning, and a veterinarian determined that the dogs died due to heat exhaustion.

Surveillance footage from the facility captured a man placing the tote between two bushes around 10:27 a.m. on Sunday. The video showed the tote was left in the sun, with the lid fully sealed, preventing any ventilation. Authorities identified the man in the video as Vaile, who was wearing a shirt with the number 54 on the back.

Vaile was later arrested on a warrant and taken to the Jasper County Detention Center, where he was still wearing the same shirt. According to a probable cause affidavit, Vaile admitted to leaving the puppies at the humane society, fully aware that it was closed at the time.

Connie Andrews, the director of the humane society, expressed her sorrow and frustration in a Facebook post, condemning the act.

She questioned why the puppies were left in a place where they were not easily visible and emphasized that the shelter would never have turned the animals away, regardless of whether the owner could afford the drop-off fees.

“We may be full but would never turn these babies away,” Andrews wrote, adding that they’ve even provided free spaying services for mother dogs in the past. She urged the community to help spread the word that this kind of behavior is unacceptable.

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Both men remain under investigation as authorities continue to gather more details about the case.