Keith Randall Sheppard, 41, of 2556 Old Cedartown Road in Lindale, and Ginger Lynn Jameson, 42, of 278 Boyd Valley Road in Silver Creek, each were charged Tuesday with two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, Floyd County Jail reports state.
They found two children living in a house where feces and urine covered most of the floor, furniture and their clothes, reports state.
Police say they removed two dogs and 13 cats from the home. The couple was charged with child cruelty, and both Sheppard and Jameson bonded out as the investigation continued.
The children are in the care of the Division of Family and Children Services, said Floyd County police detective Mary Catherine Parris
“I discovered new evidence that the animals had never been cared for,” Parris added. “The case kind of continued as more information was brought to me.”
Of the 15 animals taken from the home, only two required medical assistance or were covered in feces, Parris said. It’s those two animals that led to the two animal cruelty charges Sheppard and Jameson each face.
An older dog named “Buster” is recovering at an animal clinic. A young kitten known only as “Cat 652” also was in poor shape.
“That one was completely covered in fecal matter and very thin,” Parris said, adding its since been cleaned and gained some weight.
The remaining animals are now available for adoption, said Jason Broome, director of Floyd County Animal Control.
“One of them has already been adopted — a chocolate Lab mix,” Broome added.
Animal control intends to give the potential adoptees as much time as possible, and Broome encouraged people to visit his facility.
“We’re going to be swimming in cats,” he added. “If anybody’s on the fence, it’s a good selection time to come in here and pick out something you like.”
(Rome News Tribune - May 30, 2013)
