PETERSBURG, Va. -- Authorities seized dozens of animals last week after receiving complaints that they were not being cared for. Police are investigating the case of animal cruelty that involves more than a dozen dogs and three dead animals.
Police spokeswoman Esther Hyatt said that last week police received a complaint about a residence with a large number of animals that allegedly were not being care for properly.
Animal control officers responded to a residence in the 700 block of Old Wagner Road at 8 p.m. Thursday. Nineteen dogs were taken from the property, according to court records related to a search warrant.
Two hours later, animal control officers returned to the property and barking was heard from inside the residence. Additionally, the affidavit says there was "no shelter, no water and non exceptable [sic] living and housing conditions."
Three dead animals -- a pony and two chickens -- were found on the property, according to Hyatt. The pony was taken to an area veterinary hospital for a necropsy to determine the cause of death. One chicken on the property was found injured and treated for its injury.
The search warrant for "living animals and evidence of animal cruelty" was issued by Magistrate Judge Paul Gregory at 6:41 a.m. Friday.
Around 11 a.m. Friday, a Petersburg Animal Control van and three police cars were seen on the property.
In addition to the 19 dogs, the affidavit says all animals on the property were seized. Hyatt said that includes four dozen chickens and several rabbits. The animals were not removed from the property and are instead being kept there.
Hyatt explained that the Petersburg Animal Shelter doesn't have appropriate or adequate facilities for rabbits, chickens or horses. She said that authorities checked with several other area animal shelters but none had the requisite space or facilities for those animals.
"The animals will stay where they are and be taken care of by animal control officers," Hyatt said. She said that keeping the animals on the property is an option of last resort.
Hyatt said why the residents had all the animals is not known.
City code says that anyone owning four or more dogs older than four months must own and maintain a kennel license. Violation of the city code is considered a class 4 misdemeanor.
Copyright 2011 - The Progress-Index, Petersburg, Va.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
