Couple accused of running puppy mill near Clarkesville scheduled to return to court
The fate of more than two dozen dogs taken from a Habersham couple accused of animal cruelty remains uncertain. A court hearing is scheduled next week on a Cost Of Care petition filed by Habersham County against the dogs’ owners, Teresa and Clarence Bramblett.
The couple has not relinquished their rights to the dogs. As a result, the dogs remain on court hold and in the care of Habersham County Animal Care and Control (HCACC).
A State Court hearing on the petition originally was scheduled for June 12. The judge granted a continuance. The hearing is now scheduled for July 26, according to the court clerk’s office.
County seeks over $25K in restitution
The county is seeking $25,320 in restitution to cover expenses associated with caring for the dogs from the day they were seized on April 15 through the first scheduled hearing date on June 12. The county also is asking for $11,000 per month for each month after June 12.
This is the first petition filed in Habersham under Georgia’s Cost of Animal Care Law, according to HCACC Director Madi Hawkins. The law went into effect in May 2016. It was enacted to shift the burden of caring for animals seized in animal cruelty cases away from counties to the owners.
Under the law, if the court determines a seizure is justified, owners must pay cost of care or forfeit their rights to the animals. Owners who pay restitution may request a refund if they are found not guilty of all of the charges specified in the petition.
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The 30 dogs the Brambletts still own were among more then 400 animals seized from their property. The other animals have been sent to rescues, foster homes or have been adopted.
Teresa and Clarence Bramblett are charged with 340 counts each of animal cruelty. They pled not guilty to the charges in June. Both now have their own attorneys. Their cases are expected to go to trial in October.
