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Case ID: 2834

Classification: Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

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CONVICTED: Was justice served?

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Case #2834 Rating: 5.0 out of 5

Puppy mill - 11 seized, 2 found dead
Columbus, GA (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Oct 6, 2004
County: Muscogee

Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 4 files available

Defendants/Suspects:
» Lillian Baker - Alleged
» Charles M. Long

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

A Columbus woman was charged Wednesday with six counts of aggravated cruelty to animals after animal control officers found two dead dogs and eight emaciated pit bulls at her home.

Lillian Baker, 45, of 3823 Meritas Drive, is being held in the Muscogee County Jail. She is scheduled to appear this morning in Recorder's Court.

Animal control officers went to the house initially to pick up a dog after a neighbor complained, said Joan Sammond, director of the Muscogee County Humane Society. When officers got to the house, they called the police department to have Baker arrested because of the dogs' conditions.

"When we showed up, we didn't expect to see what we saw," Sammond said. Four puppies inside the house appeared healthy, she said. Two dogs had died and were buried in the back yard; eight emaciated, sick adult dogs were found outside.

One of the dogs outside was suffering from mange and parvo, and had to be put to sleep, Sammond said.

"She was about a year old and weighed about 15 pounds," Sammond said. "It was still wagging its tail."

Sammond said Baker told officers she noticed the dog was sick earlier this week. Baker said she was breeding the dogs to sell.

"She said she was breeding them to sell, but I don't know know why anyone would buy them, they're in such poor condition," said Columbus patrol officer Tim Greene. "They were just skin and bones. Some of them couldn't even stand up, they were so weak. This is the worst I've ever seen an animal treated."

The 11 other dogs will be quarantined for a couple of weeks until they are treated for or cleared of parvo, Sammond said. When they are healthy, they'll be spayed or neutered, then placed for adoption. Baker signed the dogs over to the Humane Society when she was arrested.

This isn't the first time the couple has faced animal cruelty charges.  They were in court back in June for having too many dogs and not taking care of them.  Investigators now say the case will go to state court for aggravated cruelty.

Case Updates

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