A Rossville, Georgia, couple is facing multiple charges after the discovery of three dead dogs and five others struggling to survive inside a hot business building, officials say.
According to a press release, warrants were issued for the arrest of Ronald Lee Jackson, 48, and his wife, Melissa Sue Jackson, 43. The couple is accused of six counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, two counts of abandonment of a domestic animal and four counts of violating Georgia’s rabies control law.
Ronald Jackson told animal control officers the couple moved the dogs to their business because they were staying in a hotel. Jackson surrendered the dogs to the Walker County Animal Shelter, according to the release, but he and his wife have not turned themselves in.
Deputies with the Walker County Sheriff’s Office noticed an open door at a business at 2234 McFarland Ave., according to the release, prompting an investigation.
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The deputies found a small room with several dogs inside, according to the release.
Animal control officers were called, and after obtaining a search warrant, they found three dead dogs along with a malnourished puppy that later died, the release said.
Animal Control Director Tyler Bishop said in the release there was no food or water available for the dogs, and the building’s floor was saturated with urine and feces.
Bishop also reported a large amount of flies, maggots and other insects within the room, which was hot and muggy and had no air conditioning or proper ventilation.
While removing the dead dogs, animal control officers found two small puppies and two mixed-breed Chihuahuas alive and saturated in both urine and feces.
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The two puppies were taken to a veterinarian and diagnosed with parvo, a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease affecting unvaccinated dogs, according to the release.
Ronald Jackson and Melissa Sue Jackson each face up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $90,000 or both if convicted on the six felony charges.
– Compiled by Leah Hunter
