CLARKESVILLE — Habersham County officials are being assisted by numerous outside agencies in coping with some 350 animals located in poor conditions Wednesday in the Clarkesville area.
While she is not releasing specifics about the property or its owners until all animals are secure, Habersham County Animal Care and Control Director Madi Hawkins said about 300 dogs are among those located on the small property.
Habersham County Animal Care and Control staff is being assisted by the Humane Society of the United States Cruelty Response Team, Gwinnett County Animal Control officers, the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia staff, approved Habersham County shelter volunteers, Tailwaggers 9-1-1 and Cashiers Highlands Humane — some 50 to 60 people in all.
Additionally, there is livestock on the property, as well as a horse, goats, pigs, a donkey, birds, chickens, doves, pigeons, two chinchillas and a squirrel, Hawkins said.
Hawkins said animal control officers happened onto the animals while responding to a complaint of barking dogs Wednesday.
“We immediately heard barking and it appeared from the sound of the barking they were in distress,” Hawkins said. “I could see 50 to 100 dogs in my field of view.”
About 50 of the dogs were stacked on top of each other in crates inside a small outbuilding, with inches of urine and feces on the floor. The unsafe and unsanitary conditions included maggots in many of the crates in the building, and animal control personnel are unable to identify some of the breeds due to severe matting.
“You could smell the ammonia from the building with the door closed,” Hawkins said. “It was disgusting. I work in a kennel environment every day and I got sick.”
Hawkins obtained a search warrant for the property and summoned help to begin the process of getting care for the animals, many of which were in need of urgent veterinary care.
With the cooperation of other agencies and county government, Habersham County Animal Care and Control created a temporary emergency shelter at an undisclosed location. Four veterinarians were on site Thursday to triage the animals being brought to that facility, including vets from Northeast Veterinary Hospital, Cornerstone Animal Hospital, Gwinnett County Animal Control and the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia.
“We did have a handful of animals that were critical and had to be transported to an emergency clinic,” Hawkins said Thursday night. “We have found deceased animals on the property as well.”
Hawkins said the removal of animals from the property is a lengthy process and she and her staff have been there since arriving at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
“We’re hoping to have all the animals removed from the property by the end of the day Friday,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins said none of the animals came from the Habersham County Animal Shelter, and in fact likely were moved to the property from out of state over the past 90 days.
Most of the 300 dogs are small breeds, with some being designer mixes. Breeds include Maltese, Yorkies, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas and various other small breeds. Some are Morkies, a mix of Maltese and Yorkies, Hawkins said.
“As far as I can tell, this is a breeding operation — a puppy mill,” Hawkins said. “I believe these have been under this ownership for some time. We believe they were brought in from out of state. There were 11 animals there on the initial complaint back in January.”
Hawkins said the occupants of the property have been cooperative for the most part, which makes it easier on animal care personnel and less stressful on the animals.
Additionally, Hawkins said she’s not sure yet whether one person or more than one person could be facing charges in the incident.
“We have not officially filed any charges yet,” Hawkins said.
Those charges will come after all animals have been removed from the property and have received the care needed, “we’re hoping in no more than a few days,” Hawkins said.
Asked if any of the charges will be felonies, Hawkins said, “Possibly.”
The case will go to either Habersham County State Court or to Habersham County Superior Court, depending on the magnitude of the charges.
“I can’t say enough good things about my staff and volunteers,” Hawkins said. “I couldn’t ask for a better team. Not only have they been involved in this incident, but they’ve also kept the shelter and animal control office running, meeting their day-to-day responsibilities.”
Hawkins praised the support of the Habersham County Commission, including Commissioner Ed Nichols and his wife who volunteered at the temporary emergency shelter. Additionally, she acknowledged the Habersham County Sheriff's Office, Habersham County Fire Services, Habersham County Fleet Maintenance and Habersham County Maintenence Department for assisting with logistics, security and equipment needed during the rescue operation.
Hawkins said she never imagined she would happen upon a situation of this magnitude in Habersham County, stressing how heartbreaking it is.
“There were a lot of tears shed here over the last two days,” Hawkins said Thursday night.
