Animal Abuse: Puppy mill - 94 dogs, 1 cat seized - Holly Springs, MS

Cruelty Database » Case Details

Case Snapshot

Case ID: 16172

Classification: Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: cat, dog (non pit-bull)

More cases in Marshall County, MS

More cases in MS

« Back to Search Results

Login to Watch this Case

Images for this Case

all 2 media files »

For more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.

CONVICTED: Was justice served?

Please vote on whether or not you feel the sentence in this case was appropriate for the crime. (Be sure to read the entire case and sentencing before voting.)

weak sentence = one star
strong sentence = 5 stars

more information on voting

When you vote, you are voting on whether or not the punishment fit the crime, NOT on the severity of the case itself. If you feel the sentence was very weak, you would vote 1 star. If you feel the sentence was very strong, you would vote 5 stars.

Please vote honestly and realistically. These ratings will be used a a tool for many future programs, including a "Peoples Choice" of best and worst sentencing, DA and judge "report cards", and more. Try to resist the temptation to vote 1 star on every case, even if you feel that 100 years in prison isnt enough.

Currently 0.00/5
1
2
3
4
5

Case #16172

Puppy mill - 94 dogs, 1 cat seized
Holly Springs, MS (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Feb 4, 2010
County: Marshall

Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 2 files available

Defendants/Suspects:
» John Garrison
» Nancy Garrison

Case Updates: 4 update(s) available

A team led by the Marshall County Sheriff's Department and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is on the scene of an alleged puppy mill in Holly Springs, Miss.

The New York-based ASPCA was asked to assist in the raid where more than 90 dogs and puppies were seized. The ASPCA has asked Denver-based American Humane Association to help.

Search our databases. The dogs, which include small breeds such as Shih Tzus, Lhasa apsos, pugs, Yorkshire terriers, corgis and Chihuahuas, were discovered living in feces-encrusted pens and filth, said Tim Rickey, the ASPCA's senior director of field investigations and response.

"This is really quite horrible out here, said Rickey, who was at the site today. "These animals are living in deplorable conditions mostly just covered in feces and urine." They were living in cages in sheds. Many of the dogs are underweight and appear to have skin problems. Several dead dogs and puppies were discovered.

Several veterinarians, including Dr. Rebecca Coleman of Memphis, were on the scene examining the animals.

All the dogs and puppies are being removed and taken to the Marshall County Humane Society. No charges have been filed yet against the owner of the property.

Case Updates

The Marshall County, Mississippi, Prosecutor's Office reports that two Mississippi residents - John and Nancy Garrison - pleaded guilty to one count each of the 97 cases of misdemeanor animal cruelty charges in connection with a raid or a puppy mill the two were running.

The raid occurred on February 4, 2010. The ASPCA, which managed the investigation, rescued more than 100 dogs that were being held under deplorable conditions. Members of the organizations field investigations and response team transferred the dogs to several animal welfare agencies, where they are no up for adoption.

The Garrisons were each sentenced to six months in jail, plus 11 months and 29 days of supervised probation. They were also ordered to pay $26,847.14 in restitution to the ASPCA and $2,793.19 to the Marshall County Humane Society, amounts that may be suspended pending successful completion of the probation terms.

Finally the Garrisons have been barred from owning or harboring animals, though only for a period of five years.

Shirley C. Byers of the Marshall County Prosecutor's Office said of the outcome:

I am pleased that the cases are concluded with a message sent to others who attempt such practices in Marshall County, that puppy mills and abuse to animals will not be tolerated under any circumstances during my tenure as County Prosecutor. My greatest satisfaction is that the 96 dogs and one cat rescued from the defendants are now happily living in safe and loving homes, which overshadows the sight and smell of the deplorable conditions of the defendant's property in February 2010.

Source: examiner.com - Dec 11, 2011
Update posted on Dec 11, 2011 - 1:18PM

Back to Top

The American Humane Association’s animal emergency responders loaded 34 seized dogs from a suspected puppy mill in Olive Branch Miss., onto a plane on Sunday.

The American Humane Association’s animal emergency responders loaded 34 seized dogs from a suspected puppy mill in Olive Branch Miss., onto a plane on Sunday.

The plane is operated by Denver’s Pet Airways and they're the ones who flew them to New York ASPCA’s (American Society for the Prevention to Cruelty to Animals) headquarters for adoption.

This is a culmination of five days of working together with the Marshall County Humane Society after 95 dogs and one cat were removed from the property of a suspected puppy mill.

Source: KKTV News - February 7, 2010
Update posted on Feb 7, 2010 - 6:32PM

Back to Top

Charges are expected in the investigation into the deplorable conditions at a North Mississippi puppy mill. The animals were found dirty, malnourished and living outside in the cold and rain. News Channel 3 has new information about the couple who owned the dogs and an update on how the puppies are doing now.

"I'm in the process of taking these down to our adoption center in Holly Springs. We will have them in isolation for a few days and once they get the clearance we'll be getting them to the Petco adoption days up in Collierville," said Maggie Holmes, Marshall Co. Humane Society.

They hope the rest of the animals also find good homes. Volunteers from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the American Humane Association are nursing 94 dogs and one cat back to health and cleaning them up at this temporary emergency shelter. They were found in deplorable conditions at this home in Red Banks, Mississippi. The owners, Nancy and John Garrison are not there when we visit but the stench left behind by the puppy mill is.

"It was totally different from two years ago," Said Marshall Co. Deputy Sgt. Tracey Jeffries.

This is the second time the sheriff's office had answered a complaint at the Garrison's property. The first time they found a large number of animals but no signs of neglect. The sheriff says declining health of the wife might be part of the reason but it's no excuse.

"Certainly I don't condone anyone who would mistreat or not properly care for an animal," said Sheriff Kenny Dickerson, Marshall County.

Charges are expected but the penalty for crimes against animals in Mississippi is likely a simple fine and a few days in jail. Some say not enough considering what the animals have been through.

"Today is the first day of the rest of these dogs lives. They were in a different place yesterday. Today they're being cared for," said Kelley Weir, American Humane Association.

Allison Cardona, ASPCA, said while showing us a puppy, "This is one of the little chihuahuas that was in there. Very sweet, a little scared but they got all their nails trimmed. They had really long nails. Some of them have been groomed. A lot of them were really matted."

The animals will be sent to pet adoption agencies all over the country so they can find good homes.

Source: WREG News - February 5, 2010
Update posted on Feb 6, 2010 - 6:59PM

Back to Top

Marshall County Sheriff's deputies have recovered close to 100 dogs during a raid on a puppy mill Thursday afternoon.

Charges are pending against the puppy mill's owners, John and Nancy Garrison.

The investigation was assisted by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

Tim Rickey, the ASPCA’s Senior Director of Field Investigations and Response, said the dogs, which include small breeds such as Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, pugs, Yorkshire terriers, corgis, and Chihuahuas, were discovered living in feces-encrusted pens and filth. He said many of the dogs are underweight and appear to have skin problems, among other medical conditions.

According to FOX13's Jill Monier at the scene, deputies have found several dead dogs and rats on the property. Monier described the smell as "overwhelming."

The surviving dogs are being transported to the Marshall County Animal Shelter for immediate veterinary care before they are available for adoption at the Marshall County Shelter in Byhalia, Mississippi and the Collierville Animal Shelter.

Source: MyFoxMemphis News - February 4, 2010
Update posted on Feb 4, 2010 - 4:24PM

Back to Top

References

« Back to Search Results

« More cases in Marshall County, MS

Note: Classifications and other fields should not be used to determine what specific charges the suspect is facing or was convicted of - they are for research and statistical purposes only. The case report and subsequent updates outline the specific charges. Charges referenced in the original case report may be modified throughout the course of the investigation or trial, so case updates, when available, should always be considered the most accurate reflection of charges.

For more information regarding classifications and usage of this database, please visit the database notes and disclaimer.

Site Map ¤ Disclaimer ¤ Privacy Policy

Puppy mill - 94 dogs, 1 cat seizedHolly Springs, MS (US)

Case Updates

References

Puppy mill - 94 dogs, 1 cat seized
Holly Springs, MS (US)