Dogs abandoned in home for weeks - Culpeper, VA

Friday, Mar 21, 2008

County: Culpeper

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» James Jackson
» Amanda Melendez

A Culpeper man and woman face 84 counts of animal neglect and cruelty charges after 13 pit bull dogs, a parakeet and an iguana were left without food or water for what may have been as long as two weeks.

The owner of the house where the animals were found called authorities Friday after he discovered the situation, according to Officer Kim Siebert of Culpeper County Animal Control.

Responding officers found six adult pit bulls, one a mother with seven puppies under 5 weeks old, at the Duke Street residence in the town of Culpeper, she said.

"The smell was awful when we got there," Siebert said. "There was no food or water for the animals. Even the toilet bowl was empty."

One of the puppies was not responsive, but was later revived at a Culpeper animal hospital, where all the animals are now being treated.

"The puppy lasted two days but died on Sunday," Siebert said.

She said the owner of the house told authorities the former occupants, 25-year-old James Jackson and 30-year-old Amanda Melendez, had moved out at least a week before the animals were found.

"We're not sure just how long they had been gone," Siebert said. "It could have been as long as two weeks. Apparently the animals had just been abandoned."

Siebert said the parakeet had been without food so long that its breastbone was protruding. The 12- to 14-inch-long iguana was in a dry aquarium with a pebble floor, also with no food or water, she said.

"We've been there in the past numerous times," she said. "The education process wasn't working at this point."

Siebert said that while none of the animals had major medical problems--aside from being deprived of food and water for a prolonged period--the dogs are being treated for parasites and skin conditions.

The cruelty charges were filed because the animals had been abandoned without food or water, she said, and are similar to the neglect charges.

Jackson and Melendez also are charged with not having county dog licenses, Siebert said.

Animal control--and the court--will decide what to do with the animals once they are back in good health.

References

• Fredericksburg.Com - March 25, 2008

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