Hoarding 78 dogs
Lawrenceville, GA (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Oct 24, 2006
County: Gwinnett
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Mariam Emily Morris
Police and animal control officers have removed 78 dogs from a Lawrenceville home. The buildup of ammonia odor was so strong that a hazardous material unit was called in.
The homeowner, Mariam Emily Morris, 40, has been issued 78 citations for misdemeanor animal neglect, according to Gwinnett County Police Department spokesman Cpl. Darren Moloney.
Morris has been the focus of previous incidents of suspected animal hoarding and neglect, Moloney said. She had also been licensed previously by the state to house and care for neglected and stray animals, he said.
On Oct 24, Gwinnett County Animal Control officers came to Morris' home, in response to reports of an injured dog running loose on or near the property, Moloney said.
Morris consented to the search of the home and to the removal of the animals, he said.
The officers found neglected dogs caged throughout the house. Other dogs were found in the garage and in the rear end of a truck, he added.
A hazardous material unit of the Gwinnett Fire Department was called in to make tests to confirm the high levels of ammonia detected by officers in the house.
The dogs, all of various breeds, were placed by animal control officials with different rescue organizations. A few of the dogs are being treated for minor respiratory ailments, believed to be related to the high levels of ammonia from urine in the house, Moloney said. References« GA State Animal Cruelty Map
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