Habersham County Animal Care & Control officers Madi Hawkins (front) and Wayne Higgins (back) are joined by Michelle Dodd of White County Animal Control as they carry out puppies and dogs found living in cages and kennels outside a home in Demorest. In all, 49 cats, 11 dogs, 7 puppies and a duck were removed from the property on Duncan Bridge Road.
Six people in south Habersham have been issued citations in the county’s latest animal hoarding case. The charges stem from a rescue last week at two homes on Duncan Bridge Road. Animal Care & Control officers seized 68 animals from the property. They removed 49 cats, 18 dogs and one duck. Most were living in outdoor cages and kennels. It took several hours and half a dozen officers from Habersham and White Counties to remove the animals from the premises.
Habersham County Animal Control Officer Wayne Higgins says he issued four citations for hoarding, 15 citations for no proof of licensing (animals did not have rabies shot records) and 14 citations for neglect.
The owners originally faced 130 violations. “The family is cooperating and has agreed to surrender most of the animals,” Higgins says. Several dogs were vaccinated and returned to the owners after it was determined they had good living conditions. Three were indoor pets.
It was the animals living outside that, according to Higgins, showed signs of neglect. They were found living surrounded by their own feces and maggots. Some were infested with fleas, had ringworm and upper respiratory viruses and some were malnourished.
Helping turns into hoarding
The three indoor pets that were returned belong to Cheri Flanagan. She spoke with Now Habersham the night of the rescue. She says she’s lived on the property since 1971. Over time it’s become a haven for strays and her children’s and grandchildren’s pets. “Strays would come up and kids would bring some home. I separated males and females so we wouldn’t have any kittens.” She says the animals weren’t neglected. “We take care of ’em. They get food whether we do or not.”
This isn’t the first time Animal Control has called on the Flanagans. Habersham County Animal Care & Control Director Madi Hawkins says officers have been to the property three times to conduct wellness checks and rescues. Hawkins says they picked up 31 cats last year to spay and neuter them.
While the situation has proven costly to the county and potentially harmful to the animals it’s also taken an emotional toll on the people involved. 22-year old Jordon Flanagan teared up as he watched the animals being carried away from the yard of the home he shares with his grandmother. “I feed and water all of these animals every single day,” he insists. “It’s bull. It sucks that they can just come on our property and take every animal.”
According to Hawkins, regulations require every animal be removed from the premises in hoarding cases.
“Hoarding isn’t necessarily an ill-intentioned issue,” she says. “Nobody that I’ve run into so far in my experience has been hoarding out of malice. In their hearts they believe that they are giving these animals the best care that these animals could possibly have and they don’t see it as being neglectful.”
Higgins says the Flanagans have been very cooperative since the rescue. He says it’s all about doing what’s best for the animals. “Our goal is to get the ordinance enforced and make sure they don’t get back in this same situation by taking animals in. Anything on that property will have to be fixed and have its shots up to date.”
Hoarding rescues strain local shelter
This is the third hoarding case in Habersham in two months. The influx of animals has put a strain on space and resources at the local shelter. Higgins says they’re doing everything possible to find homes for the animals. “We’re trying to give these animals a chance. They didn’t ask for the situation they’re in.”
Hawkins says, “I know a lot of times people go, ‘It’s Animal Control and all they want to do is kill ’em,'” but she’s adamant that’s not the case. Even with the large numbers of animals that have been rescued in recent months she says, “We actually are almost achieving a no-kill rate at the shelter right now.”
Farms and homes needed
The cats brought in last week are feral and Higgins says they won’t make good house pets, but they can be used for rodent control. “We’ll try to do a TNR (trap and release) on them and move these out to local farmers and feed stores.” Before being placed they’ll be spayed/neutered, vaccinated and have their ears clipped (ear tipping identifies feral cats as members of managed TNR colonies). “They’ll go to places where they can roam and farmers will treat them like pets,” Higgins says.
Two of the remaining dogs have been surrendered and are available for adoption. The others – including a brand new litter of puppies – will be fostered and housed in different locations until they’re surrendered or returned to their owners. A court hearing is scheduled for August 6th.
As for the duck? Higgins says the family surrendered him and he’s already found a new home on a farm with a 2-acre pond and other ducks. “He’s doing great!”
For more information on fostering and adopting these and other animals visit the Habersham Shelter Kids on Facebook. You may also call 706-754-0044 or visit the Habersham County Animal shelter in person. Hours are Tues.-Fri. 10am-12pm and 1-5pm; Sat. 10am-2pm.
