Authorities say they removed 21 dogs, mostly pit bulls, from a feces-covered Near Westside rental home on Monday they shared with three children. One of the children was a two-week-old girl.
Police went to the home in the 300 block of North Belleview Place around 3 p.m. Monday because one of the children, a 10-year-old boy, told officials at his elementary school the reason he smelled so bad was because he lived with so many dogs.
An investigation was launched that led to the arrest of two adults: Candy M. Asher, 26, and Georgia Braden, 30. Each was charged on preliminary counts of neglect of dependent and animal cruelty. Two other adults are wanted for questioning.
Police and city Animal Care & Control investigators said the home was in horrific condition. When they opened a door into the residence they reported an "overwhelming stench" of animal urine, with swarms of flies and dog waste crushed into the carpet. The 20 pit bulls, as well as another dog, were apparently being kept there for breeding. They were in various stages of health, but Animal Care & Control Sgt. Jerry Bippus said few of the dogs had ever had their toenails trimmed.
"The toenails were so long, they were crisscrossing in," Bippus said. "The condition they were in, they (the pit bulls) are probably better off being euthanized. Eventually they would have died."
Officials were caring for the pit bulls but their status is uncertain because they are rarely adopted out.
The three children were taken to youth emergency services. The boy had puncture wounds on the left side of his face that he said were from a dog that had bitten him. Case Updates| Posted on Oct 9, 2004 - 1:50PM | Senior Judge Charles Wiles sentenced Charles Halcomb on Wednesday to six months in community corrections; if he follows the rules, he will be allowed to move to a work-release program. Wiles ordered Halcomb, 33, to serve a year on probation as well.
Also Wednesday, Wiles sentenced Halcomb's girlfriend, Candy Asher, 27, to 18 months' probation. Both pleaded guilty in Marion Superior Court to neglect of a dependent.
Asher and Halcomb lived with Anthony and Georgia Braden in Asher's home in the 300 block of North Belleview Place.
On Oct. 20, 2003, Indianapolis police and animal control officers went to the home and removed 21 dogs -- 20 pit bulls and a Pekingese -- and three children. Asher's and Halcomb's daughter was 20 months old at the time. The Bradens also had two children living in the home -- a 10-year-old and a 15-day-old infant.
Two dogs were destroyed. All three children are in foster care.
The house was a breeding ground for flies and smelled of urine, law enforcement reports said.
In July, the Bradens each pleaded guilty to one count of neglect of a dependent and one count of cruelty to animals.
Marion Superior Court Judge Patricia Gifford sentenced Anthony Braden, 34, and Georgia Braden, 31, to 30 days in jail, three years' probation and 200 hours of community service. | | Source: IndyStar.Com - Oct 7, 2004 |
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