A Central Texas animal rescue meant to give dogs a safe haven has shuttered with more than 80 dogs surrendered and its owner facing an animal cruelty charge.

On Tuesday, 69-year-old Angela Sera was arrested and charged with cruelty to non-livestock animals, a class A misdemeanor, according to the Milan County Sheriff’s Office. Sera was the owner and operator of Dogtown Ranch and Sanctuary, an animal rescue facility located in Rockdale.

After a week-long collaboration between the sheriff’s office and the Brandywine Valley Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BVSPCA), 82 dogs were voluntarily surrendered and Dogtown Ranch was officially closed.

“Dogtown Ranch is empty,” the BVSPCA wrote in an Oct. 6 update on their website. “The silence is deafening. The negotiations have concluded. The animals are safe. The work isn’t over.”

What prompted the arrest?

Sera’s charges arose from new diagnostic evidence after the recent surrender of a pit bull terrier mix named Baby Reina.

“After the dog’s surrender to BVSPCA, the dog was taken to a Travis County animal clinic where the veterinary report listed numerous issues including worms, dehydration, fleas, ticks, and malnutrition,” the sheriff’s office wrote. “That veterinary report also noted substantial and longstanding unmet medical and nutritional needs.”

This evidence differed “substantially” from previous veterinary findings during an investigation of Dogtown Ranch on July 9th, which did not establish probable cause for charges.

“It did result in a recommendation for vet care,” the sheriff’s office wrote. “A follow up visit with a Lee County animal clinic on August 5th found Reina to be severely underweight but recorded no signs of fleas or ticks. The report also showed cataracts in the eyes, dental disease, and a resolving staph infection.”

The vet had recommended monitoring the dog at home, but between that visit and Reina’s recent surrender, no known treatments were provided for any of her conditions noted in the report.

What will happen to the animals?

All of the animals have been removed from Dogtown Ranch and Sanctuary.

All 82 of the dogs were voluntarily surrendered to the BVSPCA, which is working to raise donations and recruit owners for the adopted survivors.

“This is a huge moment for these animals, one our team fought to make happen after accessing the property, documenting what we found, and working toward a voluntary surrender that would get every animal out,” the organization wrote on its website.

Some of the dogs have arrived at BVSPCA’s facilities in Pennsylvania or have been placed with other shelter partners.

“To help, we are offering waived fees for all dogs 6 months+ at all locations through Sunday, October 11,” the organization wrote.

Sheriff Mike Clore with the Milam County Sheriff’s Office said the department was grateful for the assistance of the BVSPCA.

“Their expertise and willingness to take in these animals made all the difference,” Clore wrote in the release. “I appreciate their willingness to step in and assist.”

As of Wednesday, Sera remains in the Milam County jail under a $3,000 bond.

“This case will now move through the court process where Sera is presumed innocent of the underlying charges unless and until proven otherwise in court,” Clore wrote.