Nearly 40 Dogs Seized from Stephens Co. Property

Charges are pending against an individual in Stephens County after nearly 40 dogs were seized from their property on Friday.

Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter Director Jeff Roberts says that Toccoa-Stephens County Animal Control, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, and the Atlanta Humane Society went to two properties on Prather Bridge Road owned by the same individual Friday afternoon.

Roberts said that authorities seized 38 dogs from what he described as a “licensed breeder.”

“Upon inspection of the property, it was determined that charges should be filed for animal cruelty,” said Roberts Saturday.

He said that the decision to file charges against the individual came after inspecting conditions the dogs were subject to.

“Lack of providing safe water source, proper food, proper cleaning, proper cleaning of the kennel area,” said Roberts.

Roberts went on to say that a number of the animals required medical care and attention.

“Some of them were underweight,” said Roberts. “Almost all of them were matted and needed extensive grooming. Some were going to have some veterinary care work. Some had ear issues. All of them were very unkempt.”

Roberts did not release the name of the individual that will face charges as of Saturday.

Also, he said the individual’s state license was surrendered to the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

According to Roberts, all of the animals were taken by the Atlanta Humane Society.