Animal abuse investigation results in rescue of more than forty dogs in Clayton – Mississippi’s Best Community Newspaper

CLAYTON, La. — More than 40 abused and malnourished dogs have been rescued from a property in Clayton. The owner, Maurice Sheppard, 44, has been arrested Wednesday by Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office after being investigated for hosting a suspected dog fighting ring.

Whether there was a dog fighting operation or not is unconfirmed, but Sheppard faces 43 counts of animal cruelty based on the state of the animals at the property, authorities said.

The dogs were found in poor living conditions, were malnourished and many dogs exhibited signs of injury. Medical testing determined that all of the dogs were infected with staph.

All of the dogs have been thoroughly examined by a veterinarian and are in the care of Dixon Correctional Institute Pen Pals-Emergency Animal Rescue, where they are receiving any necessary medical treatment.

Concordia Parish Sheriff David Hedrick said generous donations had been made from local businesses, including Delta Bank, E&I Solutions and United Mississippi Bank, to help support the rescue and medical care of these animals.

“I am proud of our CID’s dedication to investigating these cases thoroughly and rescuing these dogs from such cruel situations. We are grateful for the assistance of every agency who assisted in this case and for our community partners that donated money toward the medical treatment of these animals,” Hedrick said. “We are committed to aggressively pursuing and prosecuting anyone who engages in the abuse of animals.”

CPSO stated it received a report in early January of dogs at large and suspected dog fighting on a 28-acre lot at 295 Anderson Road in Clayton.

CPSO Investigators obtained a search warrant to fly a drone over the property to obtain additional information. The drone footage was sent to the Humane Society of Louisiana and the USDA-Office of Inspector General, who specialize in investigating dog fighting. These agencies advised CPSO Investigators to continue the investigation to determine if this was a case of abuse, dog fighting, or both.

During the investigation, it was determined by CPSO’s Criminal Investigator Phillip Smith and an Investigator from Dixon Correctional Institute Pen Pals- Emergency Animal Rescue that all the dogs on the property were being abused and had been abandoned.

Tia Torrez, an advocate of dogs’ rights with Villa Lobos Rescue Center and previously with Pit Bulls and Parolees, reached out to CPSO Investigators regarding the case and offered her assistance.

After a second warrant was obtained for seizing the animals and collecting evidence, CPSO Investigators, along with Dixon Correctional Institute Pen Pals-Emergency Animal Rescue, The Humane Society of Louisiana, and Villa Lobos Rescue Center, executed the search warrant and successfully rescued more than 40 abused and malnourished pit bull dogs.

To report cruelty or neglect of an animal, please file a report on Humane Society of Louisiana’s website https://humanela.org/report-cruelty/ or contact Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-336-5231.

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