Puppy mill - dozens of dogs seized Rome, GA (US) Incident Date: Wednesday, May 30, 2007 County: Floyd Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Charges: Misdemeanor Alleged: Jerry Bryan Johnson

Case ID: 11499 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in GA (US) Login to Watch this Case

A Floyd County man was arrested Wednesday on cruelty to animals charges after a raid on his home allegedly turned up dozens of dogs in deplorable conditions.

Jerry Bryan Johnson, 44, was charged with 52 counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals charges. He was held Wednesday night at Floyd County Jail on $7,250 bail.

Johnson was arrested in a joint operation between Floyd County Animal Control and the Floyd County Police Department as the result of a three-year inquiry led by Officer Keelan Freeman with FCAC, authorities said.

Johnson had been previously written up by animal control authorities and had more than $6,000 in fines levied against him, said Scotty Hancock, Floyd County Emergency Management Agency director and head of Floyd County Animal Control.

�It just got to the point where he wasn�t compliant with what the department wanted him to do,� said Sgt. Dan Bickers, with Floyd County police.

Authorities then decided to take out search and seizure warrants and bring charges against Johnson in Floyd County Superior Court, Hancock said.

At Johnson�s 5297 Adairsville Highway home authorities found kennels containing dogs of several breeds, ages and sizes in various stages of health at home. Dog carcasses were found in woods near the house.

Hancock said he didn�t think Johnson meant to harm the animals, many likely strays or given to him by people unable to care for them.

�I think he had good intentions, and it just got out of hand,� Hancock said.

Hancock said other similar raids are likely: �We�re really going to start cracking down.�

The rescued dogs will be examined and, if found healthy, put up for adoption, Hancock said. People interested in adopting one of the animals should contact Floyd County Animal Control at 706-236-4537.

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References

Rome News Tribune - May 31, 2007

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