CLEBURNE, Texas--Acting on what authorities are calling a "complaint," investigators from the City of Cleburne raided a pet store late Friday, seizing well over 1,000 animals.
The Pet Depot was filled with puppies, kittens, birds, fish, reptiles and "more than 1,000 rodents," according to police Sgt. Kelly Summey.
"They did find a room that contained over 80 containers over rodents," said Summey.
A hearing set for Wednesday in municipal court was set to officially decide custody of the animals.
Right now, the local shelter is housing the cats, dogs and birds.
The Humane Society of North Texas, located in Fort Worth, has taken possession of the rodents, most of which are rats, gerbils, mice and guinea pigs, according to a shelter spokeswoman.
No one was at the store when WFAA stopped by on Tuesday. Phone calls and Facebook messages went unanswered.
The local paper was first to report the raid and store closure earlier in the week.
"Nobody condones any type of animal abuse or cruelty," said Summey.
If the judge sides with the city, the store owner would have ten days to file an appeal.
The animal shelter says it hopes to start adopting out some of the puppies, kittens and birds by month's end.