2 Toccoa residents arrested for cruelty to animals

Two Toccoa residents are behind bars after 23 aggravated cruelty to animal warrants were issued for the pair.

According to Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley, on October 22, deputies with his office responded with Stephens County Animal Control to a Country Club Trail residence in Toccoa.

Animal control and law enforcement had received complaints that a large number of animals had been left inside the residence for weeks without food or water.

Shirley said that when his deputies arrived the smell inside the residence was staggering.

Because the deputies and animal control had a signed judge’s order, they entered the residence to rescue any animals they could.

Shirley said his deputies described the living conditions of the residence as being horrendous.

The floor was falling in and covered in feces and urine. Animal cages were stacked on top of each other and the animals had no food or water.

Shirley said there were 23 animals recovered from the residence, including dogs, cats, gerbils, birds, and ferrets.

Through the investigation it was revealed that two individuals were responsible for the well-being of the animals who were not present during the rescue operation.

23 aggravated cruelty to animal warrants were issued on both Anthony J Adamo, 71, of Toccoa and Crystal Turnbull, 52, of Toccoa.

Both Adamo and Turnbull were arrested in Athens Clarke County on a traffic stop and are currently incarcerated at Stephens County Jail under a $115,000 bond.