Dogs rescued Tuesday from a Screven County kennel will be up for adoption today, and people who have had pets stolen will have the chance to see whether their missing dogs are in the group.
More than 100 dogs and puppies were seized Tuesday from Ogeechee Kennels on Ogeechee Road in Screven County. A man and woman living on-site were arrested on animal cruelty, drug and theft charges, Screven County sheriff’s spokesman Brett Dickerson said.
Denny Corder, 46, and Dawn Hudson, 44, both of Ogeechee Road, were charged with animal cruelty, theft by receiving stolen property and possession of cocaine and marijuana. Both are being held in the Screven County Jail while the investigation continues.
Some of the dogs seized later died at shelters, and bodies of numerous dead dogs and puppies were found on the property, some stuffed into empty dog food bags, Dickerson said.
An unidentified person who went to the kennel Tuesday to deal with a “business matter” spotted a dog that had been stolen from her. When she noticed deplorable conditions at the kennel, contacted the Screven County Sheriff’s Office, Dickerson said.
“We are still counting the dead animals,” he said Wednesday.
When sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene Tuesday and saw the dozens of dead animals, cages littered with debris, feces and carcasses, they called Screven County Humane Enforcement and the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Dickerson said.
Ogeechee Kennels was licensed by the state.
Bulloch County Humane Enforcement and the Bulloch County Animal Shelter also assisted in the case.
“Bulloch County was of enormous assistance. We cannot say how much we appreciate their help. We will be there for them to reciprocate if needed, and we appreciate the help very, very much,” Dickerson said.
Dogs that were held and treated by veterinarians in Bulloch County were shipped back to the Screven County Agricultural Center, where an adoption event will be held today starting at 10 a.m.
Between 9 and 10 a.m., people who have had dogs stolen or go missing will be able to inspect the surviving animals to see whether their pet is in the group.
Anyone looking for a missing or stolen dog should bring photos, registration papers and any other paperwork that will help identify the dog and prove ownership, Dickerson said.
Dogs adopted today will have a paper trail that can be followed if it is discovered later that they were stolen. People adopting the dogs must adhere to the Screven County Animal Shelter adoption policies that require dogs be neutered or spayed, and a small fee is involved, he said.
The dogs seized were “95 percent small breeds” including West Highland White terriers, Jack Russell terriers, Pekingese and pugs.
Chatham County Humane Society officials are working closely with the Screven County Sheriff’s Office to help provide veterinary care and other needs for the dogs and puppies. The Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office is also assisting in the case.
Further charges against Corder and Hudson are pending, Dickerson said.
Anyone with information about the case or having questions about adoption or concerning possibly stolen dogs may call the Screven County Sheriff’s Office at (912) 564-2013.
Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.