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By Editor Becky Watts
MEANSVILLE - On Saturday, July 16, 2022, Pike County Times was notified about a possible situation in Pike County regarding 30 dogs in a pen that did not have food and water, and there was a video that was trending on social media that documented the situation.
The original article remains below this article in its entirety.
Pike County Times contacted Animal Control Officer Tanya Perkins today in order to gather information about past offenses that date back to 2020.
Past Offenses
On January 29, 2020, Animal Control Officer Tanya Perkins issued 10 No Rabies Citations to the owner of the dogs at the address. She asked for documentation as is required by state law and no documentation was provided when requested for the 10 dogs that she witnessed on the property.
On February 12, 2020 in Magistrate Court, she was provided 17 rabies certificates for the 17 dogs on the property. "On February 14, 2020 I did a follow-up to verify the 17 dogs on the property," she said.
Prior to the viral video, there was already interaction between the owner of this property and Pike County Animal Control.
On June 1, 2022 Animal Control Officer Scott Meyers verbally requested documentation of rabies for the dogs that were old enough to receive rabies.
On June 3, 2022, a friend of the family who owns this property placed several posts on social media asking for help obtaining rabies shots for 27 dogs that were deleted from various community pages after intense questioning from local online newspaper owners. This was placed on my personal page:
"FYI for y'all on 27 dogs and needing help with rabies shots that has been showing up on social media pages today and then being deleted. I have been on the phone with Pike County Animal Control today. Here's what I was advised...
The lady asking for help does NOT have a licensed rescue, and she is NOT "working with" Pike County Animal Control to get one.
Pike County Animal Control HAS requested documentation of rabies for all of these dogs, and the owners will more than likely be issued citations for no documentation for each dog if that is not given when they return to the Pike County residence.
I understand wanting to help animals, but 27 dogs sounds like a situation that could easily turn into abuse. I'm sure it's not a fun situation for the neighbors either.
I'm not looking to stone anyone, but I don't want anyone taken in for money, etc. when they're not a rescue. And no, I'm not making this public. Just a PSA." (PSA is a public service announcement.)
Pike County Times was notified that Rabies Vaccinations were given to 28 dogs on the property on June 10, 2022. [Note from the Editor: This was changed from 6-10-2022 and written out in long form.]
On June 17, 2022, Animal Control Officer Meyers issued 2 Nuisance Dog Citations for photos of the dogs off of the property.
On June 20, 2022, Animal Control Officer Meyers issued 15 Nuisance Dog Citations for photos of the dogs off of the property.
On June 28, 2022, Animal Control Officer Meyers issued 6 Nuisance Dog Citations for photos of the dogs off of the property.
"This is a total of 23 Nuisance Dog Citations that were issued," advised Animal Control Officer Perkins.
This case went before Magistrate Court as an Arraignment on July 13, 2022 which is also previous to the viral social media video. The owner of the dogs pled not guilty.
Trial is set for August 18, 2022 on the 23 Nuisance Dog Citations.
Be Aware of Criminal Trespassing Penalties
Pike County Animal Control has been monitoring the situation long before there was a viral video and is keeping an eye on the case even now.
A Criminal Trespassing Warning was served this morning to those involved in the social media videos that are still circulating on social media.
Pike County Times has been advised that if the trespassing continues by anyone--and not just those served the warning, more citations will be issued by the Pike County Sheriff's Office.
A Criminal Trespass Warrant could involve jail time and/or a monetary penalty. Criminal Trespassing is a misdemeanor with penalties of up to 12 months in jail and/or up to a $1,000 fine.
Pike County Animal Control is well aware of the situation and is monitoring it on a regular basis.
Closing
Animal Control Officer Perkins advised Pike County Times that the dogs have food and water, all are healthy, and that none of the dogs look malnourished.
[Note from the Editor: Look in the picture above to see the metal feeder that is present in all of the dog pens.]
Robin Flory from the Georgia Department of Agriculture and Pike County Animal Control have both suggested that the owner of the property get in touch with the Atlanta Humane Society in order to obtain help with spay and neuter services as well as suggesting that he release some of the dogs to the Atlanta Humane Society.
Pike County Animal Control remains on the job here in Pike County even though Pike County does not have a working Animal Shelter at this time. Any questions about the Animal Shelter should be directed to your city and county representatives since it will take cities and the county working together with an intergovernmental agreement to pay for the costs of a county Animal Shelter.
Photos are courtesy of Pike County Animal Control.
By Editor Becky Watts
MEANSVILLE - On Saturday, July 16, 2022, Pike County Times was notified about a possible situation in Pike County regarding 30 dogs in a pen that did not have food and water, and there was a video that was trending on social media that documented the situation.
Pike County Times contacted Animal Control Officer Tanya Perkins to find out more about the situation.
The dog pens in question belong to a man in south Pike County who has an open case with Animal Control at this time. He is not a licensed breeder but has taken in dogs when they get dumped around where he lives.
At this time, there is an open case for 23 nuisance citations because the dogs kept going on surrounding properties.
Perkins advised that this property has been an ongoing issue since around February of 2020 with nuisance dogs. This case went to court this week, and the property owner pled Not Guilty to the 23 charges of nuisance animals and will be going to court in August before a judge.
Checking on the Dogs
Pike County Times had contacted Perkins about the video and received a call back from Perkins about the situation after the site visit.
Perkins and Scott Meyers, both from Pike County Animal Control, went out to the property with a deputy from the Pike County Sheriff’s Office this morning to check on the dogs.
Apparently, Perkins had been contacted by law enforcement over the weekend.
The dogs had food and water when Animal Control went out there today.
At this point, Pike County Times has been advised that a criminal trespass warning may be in the works for those who made the video which is still circulating on social media. Criminal trespassing is a misdemeanor with penalties of up to 12 months in jail and/or up to a $1,000 fine.
Other Interactions of Late
Perkins advised that there have been other interactions of late which have resulted in the owner putting up chain link fencing and lining the bottom of fence with concrete to keep the dogs from getting out of the pens.
Males and females have been separated, but both Robin Flory from the Georgia Department of Agriculture and Pike County Animal Control have suggested that the owner get in touch with the Atlanta Humane Society to get help with spay and neuter services as well as receiving help with these animals through releasing some of the dogs to the Atlanta Humane Society.
And all of the dogs that are old enough to have rabies vaccinations have been vaccinated, Perkins said.
Closing
Perkins advised that the dogs have food and water, all are healthy, and that none of the dogs look malnourished.
“Every time we’re out there, the dogs have food and water,” she said.
Photos are courtesy of Pike County Animal Control.