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Case Snapshot

Case ID: 18749

Classification: Hoarding

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

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Attorneys/Judges

Defense(s):	Terry Bullard
Judge(s):	Stan Garner

Images for this Case

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CONVICTED: Was justice served?

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Case #18749 Rating: 3.0 out of 5

Over 20 malnourished animals seized
Ariton, AL (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Oct 20, 2011
County: Dale

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 1 files available

Defendant/Suspect: Joey D. Senn

Case Updates: 3 update(s) available

Dale County sheriff's investigators and Ozark Animal Control authorities seized more than 20 animals from a residence on Dale County Road 122 on Thursday.

Dale County Chief Sheriff's Investigator Harvey Mathis said authorities were still determining mid-Thursday exactly who owned the animals, but that the owner is expected to face a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge for each malnourished pet.

The bones of around 20 dogs were visible under their skin as they ran from authorities throughout the wooded property. Water for the animals appeared darkened with dirt and leaves, while both dog feeders and their bags of food appeared empty.

Dale County Sheriff's Investigator Joe Weaver said the dogs taken to Animal Control included puppies. He said some of them were too weak to walk.

"It's one thing to have been barely fed, but some of them seemed to have been starving," he said.

Mathis said the seizure was the sheriff department's largest in at least four years.

"It's not about whether it's a human or a pet," Mathis said. "It's about the fact that if you can't take care of a living being, you have to take the necessary measures to find someone that can. Otherwise, we will aggressively pursue charges against you."

Mathis said that while the animals were taken to Animal Control, they likely would not be available for adoption until the conclusion of the investigation.

Animal cruelty in Alabama is generally a class A misdemeanor that carries a possible punishment of up to a year in jail and/or fines and court costs.

Case Updates

References

• « AL State Animal Cruelty Map
  « More cases in Dale County, AL

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