The arrest of two Athens residents on felony animal cruelty charges came after officers recently located a dead puppy and two dogs that were nearly starved to death at a home in east Athens.
Athens-Clarke police observed the dogs on April 28 and on June 2 deputies arrested a 38-year-old man and 39-year-old woman on three counts each of aggravated cruelty to animal charges. They were released on bond two days later.
Police Lt. Katie Jenkins said Friday that an anonymous tip to the Athens-Clarke County Animal Control Unit led officers to the suspect’s home on Spring Circle.
“Animal control responded and did the investigation and law enforcement was contacted when they went to seize the dogs,” Jenkins said.
Warrants show that a puppy named “Boy Boy” was dead due to the owners failing to give him food and water. Jenkins said a necropsy showed that the puppy’s death was due to starvation.
A female pit-bull type named “Hennesy” and a terrier-type dog “Snow” were both reported in extremely malnourished condition. Hennesy had ulcers on his tail, which can lead to an amputation if not treated, according to the warrant.
Snow was suffering from urine scalding, according to the warrant.
Jenkins said the scalding was due to the dog being trapped in its urine leading to ammonia burns on its skin.
The felony case against the pair will now go before a grand jury in Clarke County.
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