‘Puppy mill’ dogs still await release
County’s cost will top $200,000
BY ANGELA GARY
The rescue groups that took in puppies from a puppy mill in Nicholson are still waiting to find out if they can begin releasing the animals for adoption.
After a hearing that lasted more than six hours on Thursday, Superior Court Judge David Motes ruled that 270 puppies taken from L&D Kennel not be returned to the owners. But kennel owners and operators, Marie, Jennifer and Ronnie Hughes and Brandy Stone, have until Friday to decide whether to appeal Motes’ ruling. Until that issue is decided, the dogs cannot be released for adoption.
The three have also been charged with misdemeanor and federal animal cruelty charges.
In February, the puppies were removed from the Nicholson kennel following allegations of abuse and neglect. At Thursday’s hearing, Jackson County attorney Jane Range said the conditions of the puppies included “malnutrition, serious skin, ear and eye infections and starvation.” She added that the animals were being kept in “filthy, unsanitary conditions” and their wounds were not being treated.
Range said the medical and related costs for the animals has been more than $200,000. The rescue groups have paid these costs, but the county will be responsible for reimbursing them. It is hoped that the fees from the adoption of the animals can be used to cover these costs, as well as the attorney fees for the court proceedings.
Gina Grady, the attorney for the kennel owners, questioned the impoundment proceedings, as well as the owners being charged with 55 cases of abuse while 270 puppies were taken. She said that all of the computers and related records have been removed from the business. Grady said these issues are among those that make the hearing held on Thursday “too early.”
“It’s very difficult to defend any of these actions,” she said.
Judge Motes ruled that the proceedings on Thursday would continue.
“I don’t believe it is too early for the hearing to be held today,” he said.
The first witness called by the county was Ray Deluca, field supervisor for the animal division of the Georgia Department of Agriculture. He said conditions he found at the kennel in February included animals that were not properly cared for, unsanitary practices and inadequate food and water.
Deluca also said the animal waste was not disposed of property and one area where animals were kept “smelled like a cess pool.” He said “fecal matter was four to eight inches deep” in one area of the kennel.
Deluca said inspectors found dogs with open sores, one dead animal that was not properly disposed of, an animal with a broken back and one puppy that couldn’t walk.
“We found animals going through unnecessary pain and suffering,” he said.
Deluca said the animals were not receiving proper medication. He added that medicine bottles were found at the facility but that they were “covered with roach remains.”
Deluca also said diseases were found that should have been reported to the state, but no reports had been filed.
Grady also questioned Deluca and asked if he knew if the puppies had been taken to the vet or whether the owners had treated them. He said he did not know.
Laura Blanton, a field inspector for the Georgia Department of Agriculture, was the second witness called to the stand. She was questioned on whether there had been a pattern of complaints about the kennel. She said the department has received complaints in the past several years from people who purchased puppies from the kennel. In 2003, quarantine was issued due to one of these complaints. Blanton said several violations were issued at that time by the state.
