70 dogs removed from property after complaint

CHATSWORTH — Murray County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jimmy Davenport called it “by far the largest” animal hoarding case he has seen.

“There may have been ones in other areas that were larger, but in the 16 years I’ve been in law enforcement, this is the largest I can recall,” he said.

On Wednesday afternoon, volunteers from the Murray County Humane Society and the Atlanta Humane Society were removing an estimated 70 dogs from a property of about an acre on Old Federal Road, just north of Chatsworth.

Davenport said the property owners have not been charged or arrested but the sheriff’s office knows where they are. They were not at the property Wednesday. He said he could not release the names of the owners because the situation is still under investigation. He said the sheriff’s office has been in contact with the district attorney’s office about possible charges.

Davenport said the Murray County Animal Shelter contacted the Atlanta Humane Society Tuesday night because of the number of dogs.

Amanda Harris, marketing program manager for the Atlanta Humane Society said there were a couple of large dogs, but most were smaller breeds.

“I didn’t see any emaciation. But they do have fleas, ticks, mosquitoes are buzzing around,” she said.

Harris said many had matted fur and some appeared to be have heat exhaustion.

Volunteers with Back in Black Dog Rescue, God Only Knows Animal Rescue, Luv a Dog and the National Spay Alliance Foundation were also helping to remove the dogs, which were taken to the Atlanta Humane Society shelters in Atlanta.

Harris said they will be checked out for health issues and sociability. The first could be put up for adoption next week.