Distillery, firearms, animals seized
Beech Grove, VA (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Nov 21, 2011
County: Nelson

Charges: Misdemeanor, Felony Non-CTA
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Tracey Davis
» Joyce Davis

A couple from Nelson County Virginia is facing after dozens of federal agents descended on their home Monday.

Authorities said they found several abused animals. The search isn't over.

At least 20 malnourished dogs, two horses and dozens of birds rescued were rescued from the home.

Federal agents swarmed the property on Rooster Ridge Road in Beech Grove just off of Route 664, not far from Wintergreen Resort. Investigators with both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Alcohol Beverage Control were there to serve the warrant at the home of Tracey Davis.

The property in the small Nelson County community of Beech Grove belongs to 71-year-old Tracy Davis and his wife, Joyce.

Tracy Davis is being held without bond at the Albemarle County Regional Jail. He is facing 15 felony counts of possession of a dangerous weapon while illegally manufacturing unlawful alcohol, 28 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and one count of transporting illegally acquired alcohol. Joyce Davis, 61, posted a $5,000 bond. She is facing 28 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty.

A 25-member rescue team with the humane society was on hand to help with the animals.

The animal rescue team is bringing all of the animals here about a quarter of a mile from Davis' house. Each animal is getting checked out in the mobile vet clinic and loaded up into that rig where they're being taken to a shelter for safe keeping.

How long the abuse and neglect has been going on depends on who you talk to.

The President of the Nelson County Humane Society, Betty Grahame, says her office has fielded numerous calls over the years about alleged animal abuse on the Davis property, and as recently as a few months ago reported it to Nelson County Animal Control.

"Animal control told us they were familiar with the situation and they had been up there. They felt his animals were being cared for, so they didn't feel there was any need for people to be concerned. We let it go at that point," Grahame said

Officials with animal control told CBS19 they made several visits to the Davis property in the past year and never found signs of neglect or abuse. However, the 25 members of the Humane Society who were at the residence Monday paint a very different picture, reporting the animals were in "very poor condition".

Neighbors say Davis was known to hunt black bears and officials close to the investigation say there are reports that Davis was selling bear gallbladders on the black market.

"Known him for a long time. He's lived here at least as long as I have--known to have a lot of animals. Done a lot of hunting, but I don't think this is the first time he's been in trouble," says neighbor Brian Roberts.

Neighbors say Davis is also known in the area for making moonshine, and they say this bust was a long time coming.

The couple is now facing 56 charges.

References

« VA State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Nelson County, VA

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