Baldwin County Investigator: ‘A horrific case of animal abuse’

“People with animals, they need to care for the animals,” explains Baldwin County Sheriff Capt. Michael Lumpkin. “They do not need to take in more than what they can care for and only that person knows what they can care for. To have animals in that kind of condition is very tragic.”

Officials said they are not certain how long the animals have been left without food or water.  However they believe it has been for more than four days.

“It should be noted that the conditions inside the home were squalid,” according to the incident report. “The house smelled of animal feces and urine. There was trash and debris stacked on all living room furniture and in the kitchen.”

Dogs were found inside crates living in their own feces.  Two pens were each filled with eight chickens.  Inside one of the pens, chickens were found eating dead chickens.

“Chickens are not meat eaters,” adds Baldwin County Animal Control Supervisor Greg Hill.

Hill said a local farmer is taking care of all the remaining chickens. Three of the dogs found inside the home had to be euthanized.  Law enforcement is working to remove all of animals found on the property.

Animal cruelty charges are pending for Avery.  She is being treated at a local hospital.