PIERCE COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) – The Georgia Department of Agriculture has now seized 136 neglected canines from a property in Pierce County. The Department worked with rescue organizations to foster the seized animals as quickly as possible.
This investigation began based on a tip regarding alleged animal abuse at a local kennel.
Inspectors inspected the property earlier this week. During that inspection, investigators found violations of the Department’s rules and regulations as well as state law providing probable cause to obtain and execute a search warrant on the property.
The Agricultural Commissioner Tyler Harper is now releasing a statement about this operation:
“I am incredibly proud of the work our Law Enforcement team did to remove these dogs and address this situation. Our Law Enforcement Division is working every day to send a clear message that crime in Georgia’s agricultural sector – from animal abuse to drug and labor trafficking and everything in between – will not be tolerated, and our Companion Animal & Equine team works diligently each day to ensure our state’s companion animals and equine are properly cared for. Our teams will continue to build on the partnership we have and the work we’ve done with the Georgia Statewide Animal Crimes Prosecutor to ensure those who commit crimes in the agricultural sector are held accountable.”
The Georgia Department of Agriculture is currently working with local rescue groups to rehome or foster the seized animals. Three of those rescues are speaking out on social media about the undertaking and the rescue now, including Renegade Paws Rescue, K9 Battle Buddies, and Coastal Pet Rescue.
According to Renegade’s post: “The dogs had teeth rotting out of their jaws, open sores on their paws, furry coats that were painfully matted, along with water bowls filled with feces and mold & small pens with no shelter or cover. While dogs lived in abject filth, their breeders lived large. A manicured lawn juxtaposed with the urine-soaked coats of sick dogs bred who lived their whole lives for the financial gain of humans,” said Renegade Paws Rescue staff.
Renegade assisted in the rescue of over 130 Shih Tzu’s, dachshunds, chihuahuas, miniature poodles, Maltese, Boston terriers, Australian shepherds, yorkies, and Pomeranians. Saying these were not “backyard breeders.”
Also worth noting, Renegade says the photos of the site are so heinous that we are barred from releasing them until the case is adjudicated.
The rescue went on to say, “Dogs advertised with bows and frills actually lived in sheds that brought our volunteers to their knees, gagging from the overwhelming smell of waste.”
Renegade was able to transport all of the dogs to safety with the help of other local rescues and authorities. More than 50 of those dogs came to Savannah, where they will begin their new lives.
“These dogs are not in good shape. They have been subject to neglect for perhaps decades. One dog is missing part of its jaw and another has mammary masses. Many are heartworm positive. All must be spayed and neutered and will need expensive dental care. After they came into safety, multiple mother dogs gave birth. Each of these dogs will likely cost hundreds – if not thousands – of dollars to become healthy again. If they can even be made healthy.”
“The dogs are now in foster homes. We spent hours bathing them. And then hours bathing ourselves. The smell of rot and waste is one that doesn’t wash off easily. They didn’t deserve to be bred until their teeth rotted out of their jaws. They deserve to be loved.”
They’re asking for help with donations… You can bring in items in person to the rescue, or donate online here. These dogs will soon need foster homes or adopters, you can fill out that application to save one of these pups here.
Coastal Pet Rescue also saved many of these dogs by taking them in until they find homes. On Monday, Coastal Pet Rescue accepted 10 adult dogs into our rescue: three Poodles, two Dachshunds, one Shih Tzu, two Maltese, one Boston Terrier, and one Yorkie.
The rescue said in its post, “Over the weekend, our assistance was requested to help relocate a large number of dogs in a very short amount of time. While we cannot disclose all the details at this time, we are pleading on behalf of these souls for your help.”
Adding that their conditions were horrendous, “These dogs could barely be recognized from the overgrowth of fur, not to mention the stench. In addition to getting vaccines for probably the first time along with spays and neuters, they are all going to need dentals to clean up rotted teeth and infections. This is going to be a rather extensive vet bill for each of them.”
In that post, they’re asking for the public’s help to raise funds for their immediate medical needs. “Please consider a $5 donation towards their care, either through this link, through our Venmo coastalpetrescue, CashApp $coastalpetrescue , PayPal donations@coastalpetrescue.org, or by check to us at 7430 Thomas Ave, Savannah, GA 31406.”
Pets will be listed on their website when available for adoption, which will not be immediately for most of them.
K9 Battle Buddies, a rescue in Hinesville also took part in this huge rescue operation.
In their post, the rescue says, “A Puppy Mill was shut down and 136 dogs got to sleep inside in a warm bed with blankets for the first time in their lives! It was such an emotional experience, one we will not soon forget. To witness the life they were forced to live, no love, no comfort, no protection from the weather, no spot not covered in feces to lay, except for the mommas who got to lay on chicken wire to have and nurse their puppies, was completely heartbreaking. Then to see how happy they were to just get into our van, in a crate on a blanket! ”
If you would like to donate to the care for these and other furbabies, the rescue listed the following options:
PayPal: K9battlebuddies@k9bb.org, CashApp: $K9BB, Zelle: 912-432-0116, or directly to our vet by calling 912-662-6845, and tell them it is for the K9 Battle Buddies account.
Even more rescues and shelters in the Coastal Empire helped with this rescue operation: Including Allmon’s All About Animals, Liberty County Animal Services, Atlanta Humane Society, and Humane Society of Greater Savannah.
We are still waiting to hear back from the Department of Agriculture on who was arrested for running this breeding operation, and which specific charges they will be facing.
Copyright 2025 WTOC. All rights reserved.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
