Hoarding 111 dogs
Murphy, NC (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Aug 17, 2006
County: Cherokee
Disposition: Not Charged
Case Images: 2 files available
Person of Interest: Sandra Headley
On the morning of Aug 17, two Cherokee County agencies joined forces after receiving a tip, to rescue 107 Chihuahua dogs and puppies from a residence off of state road 19/129 in the Belview community.
Cherokee County Sheriffs' deputies along with the Cherokee County Humane Society gathered at the home of Sandra Headley, who agreed to surrender 107 dogs. The agencies collected Chihuahua, Chihuahua/terrier mix dogs, two herding dogs and one hound.
During the removal Headley gathered each animal and placed the dogs in animals crates held by a staff of the human society.
Humane society workers wore protective gear including breathing apparatus due to the conditions in the home. Conditions included massive amounts of feces and urine throughout the home.
Both Cherokee County Social Services and the Cherokee County Health Department had been notified of the unsanitary condition of the house. Cherokee County Sheriff officer Tory Shivers said that that nothing could be done.
"If she makes a continuous decision to to live that way it is her decision," Shivers said.
Shivers said everyone involved from both agencies were trying to make the gathering of the dogs as painless for Headley as possible.
"We are not out here to try and make a case on her. If I have to I will, but my main concern is for the dogs right now," Shivers said. "I don't want to see any dog in distress. It cannot be healthy for them (dogs) to run around in that stuff all day long."
Shivers said the situation is still under investigation and that he would have to discuss the situation with the Cherokee County district attorney before any charges would be filed.
Shivers said he did not feel the need to arrest Headley and that if charged were filed that it would be a criminal summons.
"I hate to put someone (her age) in jail," he said. "She seems to be trying to help the dogs and it just got out of hand."
Shivers said he did not feel that the situation with Headley would be considered a "puppy mill" situation but more of a hoarding of animals type of situation. He said that "puppy mills" tend to be for profit only without care or consideration for the animals, only the money to be made.
"I have been trying to tell my kids that I need help," Headley said. "All I want is for the dogs to have a good home."
Headley said that she has been taking in dogs from people in the area who were scared that the dogs, if taken to the Humane Society, would be put to sleep.
"There has been so much advertising of how many animals they (shelters) are putting down," she said. "It has scared people to death, and they are bringing them to me and that is why I have so many."
If charges are filled, Shivers said they would be misdemeanor animal cruelty and could possibly carry a fine and possible some jail time. But Headley had been very cooperative during the situation by signing over the k-9's to authorities and helping in the gathering process, and her assistance would be taken into consideration. Also under consideration is the fact that about four years ago Headley found herself in the same situation and surrendered the dogs at that time also, according to officials.
Shivers also explained that it is not against the law for anyone to have that many animals and that the only way to prevent a person from having too many animals is by a court order.
Officers said that they would leave 12 dogs still in her care. Four of the dogs had been sold and one was pregnant.
Officials with the human society explained that if they had taken all of the animals it would just be too much for Headley to handle.
Shivers explained to Headley that if she were allowed to keep the animals that the dogs were no longer allowed to stay in the home due
to the conditions in the home. They also explained that she would be required to have the animals spayed. The shelter has offered Headley free services on spaying the animals. Also, shelter personnel would return to fix a fence located on the back of the property to house the remaining dogs.
"She agreed to have the Humane Society come out monthly and do a check on condition of the dogs and she also accepted the offer of free spaying of the animals.
Officers removed 95 animals from the home. They were taken to the animal shelter.
Upon arrival the animals were unloaded and evaluated for health and temperament.
Each dog was given a tracking chip that allows animals to be traced back to their new owners, rabies, distemper, hepatitis, provo and bortella shots.
Shivers said that several of the dogs had been adopted into homes.
"I truly appreciate the staff of the animal shelter for coming out and helping collect the dogs," Shivers said. References« NC State Animal Cruelty Map
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