Puppy mill - 80 small breed dogs seized
Brunswick, GA (US)

Incident Date: Friday, Jun 10, 2005
County: Glynn

Disposition: Not Charged

Persons of Interest:
» Martha Fran Kelley
» Lisa H. Cook

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

Police officers executing a search warrant found and seized 80 small breed dogs and a cat inside a house on June 10. The adult dogs and puppies were in all but one room at a home on Lee St. that Brunswick police officers searched in response to a tip provided by a woman who had bought a dog there, Brunswick police Sgt. Robert Depp said.

The owner of the house, Martha Fran Kelley, and Lisa Cook, who are thought to be housemates, came to the house, where they were arrested, Depp said.

Kelley was charged with obstructing an officer and Cook with possession of drug paraphernalia, Depp said.

"The reason she was arrested for obstruction is she went in for her medicines and tried to hide a puppy in her purse," Depp said.

Both were booked at the Glynn County Detention Center on the misdemeanor charges and released on their own recognizance.

Kelley had no business or kennel license for the house, which was an apparent puppy-breeding operation, Depp said.

Any additional charges will not be lodged before June 13 and will depend on the findings of veterinarians, he said.

Marcia Stewart, director of Glynn County Animal Services, said some dogs were running loose in the house, but most were in cages.

As she held some puppies, Stewart said, "These guys were in a cage totally wrapped in blankets all around. No air or light."

Veterinarian Janeen Stobaeus and later Melissa Weaver examined the dogs as they were brought out individually to Glynn County Animal Services' mobile kennel. Although all appeared to be well-nourished and to have been given plenty of water, many had eye ulcers, decayed teeth and missing hair. Some had malformed feet and legs. Some had trouble standing, possibly from being caged so long, officers said. Others' nails had gone untrimmed so long that they had curled.

A small Yorkshire terrier lay in the bottom of a plastic basket that Stewart held.

"A little Yorkie with deformed legs. It can't walk, but I guarantee you it could have puppies," Stewart said.

Stewart said her staff would have to make room for all the animals at the county animal shelter and she predicted all would be adopted into good homes. Animal seized from other so-called puppy mills have been adopted, including some that required special care, she said.

Officers who removed the dogs wore protective clothing, some of which became smeared with feces. As they worked, dozens of simultaneous barks could be heard.

The woman who provided the information to police had attempted to return a dog to the homeowner, Depp said.

The woman heard barking from inside and smelled a stench and thought there was a large number of dogs inside the house, Depp said.

Acting on that information, police got a search warrant and entered the house where they were discovered thedogs seemingly everywhere, Depp said.

Asked whether Kelley or Cook lived in the house, Depp said it was unlikely.

"I don't see how anybody's living in that house. There were dogs living all over the house," he said. A bed in the one room with furniture was piled with belongings although there was an air mattress on the floor, Depp said.

The front porch and yard of the house were cluttered with stacks of newspapers, chairs, furniture and other items. A sign said, "Martha Stewart does not live here."

Police Chief Edna Johnson expressed dismay over what officers found.

"You've got to think of them being in there unattended," she said of the dogs. "That's inhumane. The important thing is getting them treated."

City Manager Roosevelt Harris watched as the officers brought the dogs out.

"I know this is not the kind of thing we want to tolerate in the city," Harris said.

Case Updates

References

• « GA State Animal Cruelty Map
  « More cases in Glynn County, GA

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