GAINESVILLE - Hall County Animal Control officers exercised a search warrant at a home in northern Hall County Tuesday and confiscated 59 dogs from conditions described as deplorable.
Hall County spokeswoman Katie Crumley said that the mobile home is located at 8468 Romey Savage Road. The two that lived in the home, Richard Vaught and Kimberly Halulka, were charged with violating a county ordinance and cruelty to animals.
"Our officers responded to the mobile home, obtained a search warrant and found an exorbitant number of dogs inside the home," Assistant Hall County Administrator Marty Nix said.
"All but two of the 59 dogs are short-hair, Jack Russell Terrier-mix-type dogs. They weigh about 20 pounds or less. The majority of them are puppies, young dogs," said Crumley. "There's one long-haired Schnauzer, terrier-looking dog, we're not sure about his age, and a much older female Chihuahua."
"Some had medical issues that were not being addressed; there were sanitation issues in the home, rabies tag violations and issues with air quality," Nix added.
Dr. Meghan Seabolt, veterinarian for the Hall County Animal Shelter, said all of the dogs needed immediate medical attention for excessive flea bites, but 39 of them have already been treated and are ready for adoption.
"One of them needs to have an eye removed, but he's incredibly sweet and could be adopted right away," she said.
Seabolt said the rest of the dogs will need to spend some time recuperating with rescue groups before they're ready for adoption.
