A petition drive is underway in an effort to prevent dozens of dogs rescued from an alleged puppy mill from being returned to their owners.
29 dogs seized from Teresa and Clarence Bramblett of Clarkesville remain on court hold because the couple refused to relinquish their rights to them when the dogs were seized back in April. The 29 were among more than 400 animals rescued from the couple’s property. Officials say they were housed in the Bramblett’s house and yard – separate from the hundreds of other dogs that were found living in make-shift shelters, dog runs and sheds.
It’s possible that the more than two dozen dogs on court hold could be returned to the Brambletts. In Georgia, animals are considered property. Unless the owners relinquish or forfeit their rights the court could return the dogs to them.
An online petition is now circulating in an effort to prevent that from happening.
“…we are concerned, we care, and we are watching in hope that justice will be executed for these dogs.” ~ HSNEGA Executive Director Julie Edwards
The petition was started by the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia (HSNEGA) which, its executive director Julie Edwards says, has a vested interest in the case.
Edwards was on a team of seven HSNEGA staff and volunteers who spent two days helping to remove and triage the animals that were seized. Since then, they’ve helped care for the animals by volunteering at the temporary shelter where they’re housed. Their organization also took in 56 of the dogs to rehabilitate and rehome.
“Since the rescue in April, I am asked daily by concerned individuals about the status of the case,” explains Edwards. “Our supporters have donated money and supplies to help the rescues in this case.”
While Habersham County Animal Care and Control is aware of the petition drive, Edwards says HCACC was not involved in drafting it. “HSNEGA’s mission is to aid animals in need throughout north Georgia, but certainly, we have a vested interest, due to our involvement and our supporters’ involvement in this particular case, to advocate for these dogs and help be their voice in the legal process.”
Edwards was among a small band of Humane Society members and shelter volunteers who attended the Bramblett’s arraignment in Habersham County State Court on June 14. As they continue to advocate for the animals, they hope others will join them.
“Our hope in asking people to reach out to Habersham officials is that we can be the voice of the rescues, and make those overseeing the case aware that we are concerned, we care, and we are watching in hope that justice will be executed for these dogs.”
Visit https://actionsprout.io/678AF2 to access the HSNEGA petition online
