400+ animals rescued from N. GA property

HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — More than 400 animals were rescued this week from deplorable conditions at a property in Habersham County.

Habersham County animal control officers received an anonymous barking complaint Wednesday that led them to the property.

During the execution of a search warrant, the officers found the animals living in filth and inches of feces without access to clean water and food and in need of urgent veterinary care.

There were hundreds of animals, including dogs, cats, donkeys, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, doves, bunnies, a horse and an alpaca, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

Most of the animals were small dogs.

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Dozens of volunteers have spent three days rescuing the animals.

“With the totality of the circumstances, we felt we needed to make a move immediately. We responded for the welfare check, we saw the condition of the animals, the amount of the animals, and we had to do something immediately,” said Madi Hawkins, the director of Habersham County Animal Care and Control.

Authorities said it’s the largest animal rescue operation to ever take place in Habersham County.

“We have a lot of small scale issues, but we have never experienced something of this magnitude before,” Hawkins said.

The animals are being transported to a secret location, which has not been revealed in order not to compromise the investigation.

Volunteers are treating the animals’ medical needs and vaccinations. They will be transferred to local shelters when they are ready for adoption, which could take a few weeks.

The property owners recently moved to town.

The owners and their address have not been identified because they have not been charged, but Hawkins said they will likely face animal abuse charges.

Cox Media Group