Leslie VanBiljon has been rescuing animals for almost 18 years. She has gotten to the point at times with almost 100 animals but is currently down to 46 dogs. Most of the animals come from rescue groups and the other half come from right out in front of her home on Old Houston Road. For years’ people have used the section of Old Houston to dump unwanted animals. VanBiljon said one of two things happen, either they are hit by a car or she ends up taking them in and caring for them. Another dog came from a family who just didn’t want the dog anymore and was going to get a smaller one. Their answer was to euthanize it. VanBiljon talked them into canceling their vet appointment and letting her have the dog. She spends most of her day caring for the animals, cleaning cages, exercising the dogs and feeding and watering. Her food bill tops over $1000 a month which doesn’t include the Frontline which she uses on each animal. With eleven acres there is plenty of room for the dogs. Most are in kennels but are let run to exercise at least twice a day. She has several building around the property to house the dogs including an 18-wheeler trailer which they have free roam in. Even her home has two air conditioned bedrooms which house dogs and some cats. In her living room sits a stack of dog food bags which she said she feeds over two a day which equates to close to 90 pounds. She always trys to find homes for the dogs but the larger ones and not very successful in placing. Last week she was contacted by a rescue group who volunteered to take several off her hands. They did but in doing so also photographed her property and several kennels in which she had not cleaned for the day.
Then a few days later Montgomery County Animal Control arrived at her property along with some Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies. Animal Control told her they were there to inspect the animals which they are allowed to do on anyone’s property. Frustrated VanBiljon told them she was done and to just take all the animals. However, she was told by the animal control officer they were unable to do so. After the inspection she was told several of the dogs needed to be updated on their rabies vaccinations. They left. Within days of their visit and the rescue group visit, photos of her property and the animals started appearing on Social Media.
Friday afternoon VanBiljon received a call from the SPCA and told her they were coming out to visit at 12:30 on Saturday. Just before noon they arrived along with a Montgomery County Precinct 4 Deputy Constable. After spending over an hour inspecting the property and the forty-six dogs and four horses a determination was made that the horses needed a farrier service to trip the hooves and two of the horses needed some additional weight. Of the dogs, besides the shots she has to have 8 dogs visited by a vet. One of those dogs she has had and has been blind for 9 years was to have his eye checked. Others needed small tumors checked or cuts checked. All the dogs had food and water but a few had water bowls which had spilled. She was told she must maintain fresh water for the dogs which she feeds and waters every morning and evening.
Another complaint which was unfounded was that the septic system was defective and dogs were drinking sewer water. However, her Aerobic System appeared to be functioning.
VanBiljon would like to do nothing more than find a home for all the dogs but she knows that will never happen as people just do not want large dogs.
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