Habersham County Animal Care and Control Director Madi Hawkins helps process evidence at the scene where hundreds of animals were seized. Here she holds one of the many puppies found caged on private property near Clarkesville.
More than 350 animals were seized from private property near Clarkesville in what officials now describe as a multi-species animal neglect case.
UPDATE: Volunteers needed to help process and care for seized animals
Habersham County Animal Care and Control (HCACC) Director Madi Hawkins says officials were tipped off to the situation when a neighbor complained about barking.
HCACC discovered the animals during a welfare check. They executed a search and seizure warrant on the property on Wednesday. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) assisted in the rescue. The national animal rights advocacy group issued a press release Thursday saying the animals were found living in “deplorable conditions” without access to clean food or water.
A variety of animals were seized including dogs and puppies, cats, donkeys, pigs, chickens, ducks, doves, bunnies, a horse and an alpaca. “The animals were living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions and [were] in need of urgent veterinary care,” HSUS states.
A shocking discovery
“No animal should be forced to live in conditions like we’ve seen today,” says HSUS Manager of Animal Crimes Jessica Lauginiger.
It took officials and volunteers nearly 24 hours to process the scene. The animals were removed from the property pending the outcome of the investigation.
“We never expected to find such a large-scale operation in our own backyard,” Hawkins says.
She says charges are pending against two people. Their names and the address where the animals were found have not been released.
Hawkins says officials are looking into the possibility the suspects were running a puppy mill, but that has not been determined. She says more evidence needs to be examined, including the health and condition of the animals, before officials determine what, if any, charges will be filed.
Rescue mission streamed live on social media
Lauginiger livestreamed part of the rescue operation on Thursday and described conditions inside one of the buildings where numerous puppies were caged.
“There’s a wide variety of breeds, Yorkies, Chihuahuas, some Doberman Pinschers and Dachshunds,” she said. “We have some fluffy breeds, some Shih Tzus and Lhasa Apsos. There’s a whole variety of breeds.”
Lauginiger said the the animals were “very excited” to receive human attention. “We have a lot of very sweet animals here with varying medical conditions, living in their own waste,” she said.
Hawkins says she’s grateful for the county’s dedicated and compassionate animal control staff.
“This is a heartbreaking situation,” she says, “and it’s not an easy task to be present to witness this kind of cruelty.”
Multiple agencies involved in rescue
Officials say dogs, cats, bunnies and birds are being transported to a temporary emergency animal shelter where they’ll be examined by teams of veterinarians and receive any necessary immediate medical care. The horse and farm animals are being transported to Horse Inc.
At least six outside agencies assisted Habersham County with the rescue and removal operation. They include HSUS, Humane Society of Northeast Georgia, Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement, Cornerstone Animal Hospital, Cashiers Highland Humane Society and PAWS Bryson City.
Rescue Bank is providing food for the dogs and dog behavior expert Victoria Stilwell of Positively is also assisting in the case.
