Backyard breeder - 80 cats and dogs, more Gainesville, GA (US) Incident Date: Tuesday, Jul 1, 2003 County: Hall Local Map: available Disposition: Convicted Abusers/Suspects: » George W. McCollum » Erin McCollum Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 1582 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: cat, dog (non pit-bull), bird (wildlife), rabbit (pet) View more cases in GA (US) Login to Watch this Case

A Hall County pet dealer could face charges of animal cruelty for the second time in five years. No counts were filed against George McCollum, said Rick Phillips, supervisor of Hall's animal control.

"There are different phases of cruelty to animals, all of which are gonna be Hall County ordinances," he said. "It is still an open case, and the investigation is ongoing."

Phillips said McCollum pleaded guilty to animal cruelty following a similar incident in 1998.

"From my understanding, he is a licensed breeder-dealer and sells them at local flea markets," Phillips said.

Tuesday, animal control officers and officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture returned to McCollum's home on Lotheridge Road, just off White Sulphur Road north of Gainesville Industrial Park North, after receiving odor and noise complaints.

Rick Aiken, director of the Hall County Humane Society, said the inventory included 40 rabbits, 31 exotic birds and about 80 cats and dogs. The additional guests strained the facility's services during its busy time of year.

"We're glad the animals were taken away, but it does cause a hardship," Aiken said.

Phillips said McCollum's property had been quarantined and that goats and various types of fowl were still on the site.

Aiken said extra staff was on duty and several area veterinarians had come to help care for the seized animals. A bird, a couple kittens and several other animals taken from the home have died.

"Overall, they have parasites, were filthy and are matted," Aiken said. "It appears none of the dogs and cats were hungry... We had 12 chickens that starved."

Aiken said many people called the society Wednesday to ask about the animals. He said they would be made available for adoption only if a court ordered them turned over or the owners released them to the society.

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References

	The Gainesville Times
	The Gainesville Times

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