- Mississippi, USA -
A recent animal cruelty bust in Panola County raises a serious discussion. Where will the dogs removed from a residence on 3572 Mount Olivet Road in Batesville be placed? The county does not have an animal shelter!
FOX13′s reporter Tom Dees talked to Panola County Sheriff Shane Phelps who said he hopes county leaders have a solution soon.
Sheriff Phelps said that on Friday, December 2, 2022, six Pitbulls were found chained, starving, and without food or water on the property of 48-years-old CHARLES DANIEL BEARD. Sadly, officials also discovered a deceased dog in a doghouse.
Reportedly, BEARD told officers he had not fed and watered the dogs only for a few days, but the pictures tell otherwise!
Sheriff Phelps had to ask the city of Batesville for room at their shelter. He told FOX13: “We are at the point in the county where we will have to have an animal shelter or dog pound or something.” “We cannot pick these dogs up and carry them to a facility. The humane society, they have done so much for this county. They are full. They can’t do it anymore. They have dogs that they are picking up and have to keep at their house trying to get them adopted. They are out of the room,” he added.
As Sheriff Phelps explained to FOX13, the county has gotten more than 500 animal-related calls this year and he wants to hire a full-time animal control officer. An old 900 square foot airplane hangar is disassembled and stored behind the jail, and Sheriff Phelps said it could be used as an animal shelter if the county would commit to purchasing individual pens.
According to Sheriff Phelps, people in the community have offered donations to pay for a shelter. He also said that so far, the response from county supervisors has been positive.
“They know it’s time to do something. They know it is not a quick fix, but they are hopefully willing to get some pens installed so they are on board,” he said.
BEARD was charged with seven counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor on first offense. Online records show he is out on bond.
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