The GBHS division of Animal Care and Control rescued the animals last month from a Warrior home and are now in the process of treating the surviving animals in preparation to put them up for adoption. The homeowners who abandoned them have been charged, and are expected to go to court next month.
"It was obviously horrible,'' said Holly Baker, director of Animal Care and Control. "It was really, really bad. It was clear they had been abandoned and the owners had just up and left."
Baker said authorities received a tip from a citizen about a possible hoarding situation at 490 Dana Drive. Once they determined the home was in the Warrior Police Department's jurisdiction, they began working with officers to remove the animals from the home.
In all, rescue workers found 51 animals including six puppies, four turtles, 17 adult dogs, nine cats and 15 kittens. Of those, Baker said, 11 of the puppies, kittens and dogs were already dead upon arrival, died after intake or had to be euthanized because of severe malnutrition. The remain 36 animals are being held at the ACC facility at 6227 5th Avenue North, and will remain there until the June 14 court date for the previous owners.
Baker said they believe the owners had been gone for at least two weeks, though there was some evidence that someone had at least given them water or they all likely would have died.
Authorities said they found the animals living in diminished conditions without food or water, and with excrement all over the floor. Three dogs were found in a bathroom with a door closed. Syringes and other drug paraphernalia were also found at the home among clothes and other items strewn all over the floor.
Warrior police Chief Ray Horn identified the suspects as Ricky Leroy Thomason, 38, and Elizabeth McGraw, 30. Both are charged with 51 counts of animal cruelty.
Horn said he believes the pair left the home, and their pets, because they were about to be evicted. They have lived in multiple rental houses in the area over the years, he said. Police and city officials have previously dealt with them on complaints about the condition of their property.
If found guilty, they could face up to six months in jail or be required to pay $3,000 in fines per conviction. At the June court hearing, a judge will determine if the animals will be released to their owners or surrendered to GBHJS. If legally released into GBHS care, the animals will be placed into foster homes, transferred to rescues or put up for adoption at the Snow Drive facility.
"It is imperative that we bring justice for these animals,'' said GBHS CEO Allison Black Cornelius. "This situation is truly sickening and heartbreaking for these animals, and we hope to prosecute the owners to the fullest extent of the law. Until then, these animals will be under the care of our ACC veterinarians and staff to ensure they have a chance at life."
The remaining animals' conditions are:
-The four turtles were adopted because only cats and dogs are covered under the Pet Protection Act.
-Seven kittens are being treated for severe upper respiratory infections and are responding well to medication. Officials believe they will be available for adoption after the June court ruling.
-Four kittens were born at ACDC and will need a foster home with their mother after the court ruling.
-The nine adult cats are healthy and doing well. Officials believe they will be available for adoption after the court ruling.
-One dog is in poor condition because of painful joints, external parasites and a high heartworm positive diagnosis.
-The remaining 15 Chihuahua, Labrador and Pitbull-type adult dogs almost all came in with intestinal parasites. Two are heartworm positive, but all are doing well at ACC. They should be ready to be foster or adopted after the court date.
Baker also released this description of the dead animals' status at the time of death:
-One dog died of pneumonia.
-One puppy was dead when ACC arrived at the house.
-One puppy died en route to ACC.
-The four remaining puppies were euthanized because of their inability to thrive without a nursing mother.
-One kitten was euthanized because it was not responding to medication to treat is severe dehydration and lethargy.
- Three kittens died of severe upper respiratory illness after being treated.
Baker said the dogs and cats were already used to being together, so that has eased the housing concerns at GBHS. "They have the comfort of each other,'' she said.
While most animal surrenders have a two-week turnaround time, these animals will be with workers for a couple of months which is a challenge for workers because they get attached. "It changes you somehow,'' Baker said. "And it really just makes you fight harder and harder to make sure they don't live in those conditions."
Workers are thankful for the tips that led to the discovery, and they hope more people will call in when they see something amiss. "I know it's cliched, but if you see something, say something,'' Baker said. "Even if it just seems a little odd or off, just pick up the phone."
Baker said she knows the public will take interest in these abandoned animals, and hopes it will also open the door to the adoptions of other animals at the facility. "As much as a person's heart goes out to these animals, all of the animals that come into our facility have stories,'' she said. "We are going to need adoptions and fosters as much as we always to do ensure these animals are quickly placed into a loving home. Adopting any of our animals helps just as much as taking one of these guys."
(AL.com - May 17, 2016)
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