Transcript Staff

The Norman Police Department, in conjunction with Norman Animal Welfare and Norman Code Compliance, served a search warrant at a west Norman residence Friday morning, seizing 23 cats and nine dogs.

Police said the warrant arose from an ongoing investigation into what the resident at 1314 Melrose Drive, Sara Jean Haddock, claimed to be an animal rescue operation.

According to a police press release, Animal Welfare officers have tried on numerous occasions through persuasion and through Municipal Court action to cause the resident to cease repeated violations of the City regulations governing kennel operations.

Officers have heretofore failed to bring about a voluntary resolution of the problem however, and until now have had insufficient evidence to obtain a warrant to enter the residence, the release said.

Officers were finally successful in obtaining a search warrant, which was served Friday morning. In addition to the agencies listed, support was required from the Norman Fire Department, who provided SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) for personnel working in the house, and from EMSStat paramedics, who were called to the scene as a precaution due to the advanced age and reported ill health of a family member at the home, polilce said. A local veterinarian and her assistant also were present to assist in evaluating the animals.

The impounded animals were removed to the Norman Animal Welfare Center. The house, which was contaminated with animal excrement, was declared uninhabitable and posted off-limits by Code Compliance officers. The animals were found in varying states of health, with some displaying signs of malnutrition and neglect, police said.

Officers will forward information from the investigation to the district attorney’s office for consideration of criminal charges in connection with the case.

Attempts by The Transcript to contact Haddock were unsuccessful Friday.