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Animals Found Severely Abused Save Email Print
Posted: 8:56 PM Nov 21, 2008
Last Updated: 8:56 PM Nov 21, 2008
Reporter: Rhiana Huckins
Email Address: rhiana@wtvy.com

A | A | A

The animals were found when the homeowner was trying to get his tenants evicted.

Days after the gruesome discovery, a mother and daughter were arrested.

The homeowner says he has no idea that close to one hundred animals were living in such danger.

He says the 2 women and a family member who passed away a short while ago were trying to buy the home.... But since no money was coming in, it was time for them to move out.

The smell just overwhelms you.

What once was a beautiful log cabin home in jack is now basically a cesspool after a countless number of dogs, cats, rabbits, goats and birds were left inside to run muck.

"It was a beautiful home at one time, now it’s a total loss." says the Homeowner.

The owner of this home -- who wishes to remain anonymous-- was trying to sell it to a relative of 42 year old Gina walker and her mother 64 year old Penelope walker.

They were living in the home and upon eviction were arrested and charged with one count of animal cruelty.

This came after coffee county sheriff's deputies discovered the deplorable condition of the home.
"Their hair was matted in filth; they were laying in filth in their kennels. Their kennels were at least an inch and a half thick with their own feces and urine. No food, no water. " says April Gales of Lil Tykes Rescue and Adoption.

To prevent overcrowding in shelters, the animals were spread out across the wiregrass area including Lil Tykes in Daleville.
Some co -workers of the homeowner donated 320 pounds of food while a veterinarian in Ozark took in some of the animals to nurse them back to health.

"We had to let the vet bathe them, take care of eremites, lice, flees and completely shave them down." Says Gales.

Experts believe this may have been a case of backyard breeding.
Most of the animals are extremely ill with respiratory problems, missing teeth, and parasites.
So far, only one animal from the home has died.... It was a macaw parrot that suffered from dehydration.

"Words cannot even compare what I feel about it. I want to put them in that situation and make them live in it for the rest of their lives." says Gales.

The homeowner's lawyer- Cory Driggers of Dothan did not want to release too much information on the case because he and his client are looking into possible civil actions and insurance coverage.

Of course, this extreme amount of homeless animals will eventually need somewhere to go.

If you are interested in helping, you can call "Lil Tykes adoption and rescue" at (334)598-2473.

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Posted by: anonymous Location: Jack on Nov 22, 2008 at 07:41 AM
I would like to know why the sheriff, coroner or the emt's did not report this to someone, maybe the health dept. after they were in the house when the brother was found dead in his bed one monday morning,(approx. 4 weeks ago) and why he was allowed to lay there until the next day before he was moved. One emt said he was sick for four days after being in the house. Why did the brother die, was it a heart attack or something he contacted from all the filth. I agree with Alice these people should be put in cages and treated like all those animals were treated.

Posted by: Jacqui Location: Daleville on Nov 22, 2008 at 12:01 AM
One count of animal cruelty? That's it? Alabama, wake up already and get with the times. Maybe if our laws were more strict, there would be less abuse to living beings. Then again, maybe not. Out of sight, out of mind.

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