A Tulsa dog rescue that promised animals a second chance is now at the center of a major cruelty case. The Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office must prosecute it to the fullest extent of Oklahoma law and ask the court to bar anyone convicted from ever owning animals or running a rescue again.

On Wednesday, Tulsa Animal Services (TAS) served a search warrant at the Mercy Sakes Second Chance Dog Rescue property near 12th and Memorial. Officers removed 22 living animals and found 19 dogs that had already died. The operator, Marcia Reynolds, was arrested and charged with 29 counts of animal cruelty.

One day later, the investigation reached a second property on East 6th Street. TAS and Tulsa Police found 14 more dogs and a cat in filthy conditions, some so thin their bones showed. In total, 56 animals, living and dead, are now tied to this case.

Advocates and rescue groups who once knew these dogs are still waiting to learn which ones survived. Some of the dead dogs may never be identified.

Twenty-nine counts do not reflect every animal found. Prosecutors should review the evidence from both properties and pursue charges that account for each animal found suffering or dead. If the case ends in a conviction, a lifetime ban on owning animals or operating a rescue is the surest way to keep this from happening again.

Everyone charged is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the court process must run its course. But these animals deserve a case that takes their suffering seriously.

Sign the petition to tell the Tulsa County District Attorney to pursue full charges and a lifetime ban, before another rescue turns deadly.