Bleckley sheriff’s deputies need more evidence in alleged dog abuse case
Law enforcement says they’re working to figure out if the owner is doing anything illegal, and they need proof to take any action.
“I want it to stop before someone is killed,” Donnella Romeo, a concerned breeder, said.
Romeo says the alleged house on Vernon Road is home to dozens of Akitas.
She investigated for what she says is years at her home in Virginia on why the animals’ owner hasn’t been punished.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture issued a cease and desist order to the owner last year about selling the dogs.
Romeo voiced her concerns to Bleckley County Commissioner Robert Brockman Thursday morning about the level of care the dogs are receiving.
“I’m hoping he does the right thing and acts on this in his capacity as commissioner, he’s empowered to do so, and I’m praying that he does,” Romeo said.
Sheriff’s deputies are working with the district attorney as well as the department of agriculture to see if the dogs’ owner is doing something illegal.
“We’re not giving up on it. We’re working on it. I think if we can get these people that have information, and if they would come forward and talk to us, then we can make a case,” Bleckley Sheriff Harold Lancaster said.
Romeo says she has proof from social media, but Lancaster thinks they’ll need more evidence than that.
“We’ve got to have somebody to testify this has happened, and the way it happened. Not just he said so and so. That just won’t make it in a courtroom,” Lancaster said.
According to at least 12 sheriff’s reports, animal control was called to the house or nearby locations a majority for “animals running at large.”
Investigators say when they went to the house the dogs looked cared for, but some of them were aggressive.
Romeo fears the worst could come if someone doesn’t step in.
“If these aggressive dogs are at large again at the right time, there could be a fatality,” Romeo said.
Lancaster tells 41NBC the case isn’t new, it’s something he and his deputies are constantly working on. Again, he added until someone comes forward, it’ll be tough for law enforcement to step in.
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