Two were arrested and thirteen animals were seized from a Rossville home in what Walker County, Georgia, officials are investigating as an animal hoarding case.
Steven Owensby, 29, and Makayla McDonald, 27, both face a charge of aggravated cruelty to animals, according to a county news release. Additional charges are pending, the release also said.
A Walker County Sheriff’s Office deputy made the discovery over the weekend while looking for a suspect in an unrelated case. While searching the residence in the 1900 block of Blossom Road, the deputy noticed several malnourished and dead animals in the home, the release stated.
Along with the three dogs, two cats, two rabbits, two ducks and four chickens seized from the home, officials also removed the remains of 15 dead animals. Assisting the Sheriff’s Office were officials from Walker County Animal Control, the Walker County Animal Shelter and Walker County Fire Rescue.
The animals needing immediate medical care were released to rescues, the release stated. A county spokesperson said the animals that didn’t need immediate care went to the Walker County Animal Shelter.
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– Compiled by Andrew Wilkins