Georgia man faces 30-plus animal cruelty charges for allegedly committing same crime twice

WSBTV.com News Staff
·2 min read

A Georgia man was arrested and charged with animal cruelty after officials discovered he was hoarding more than a dozen animals at his Georgia home.

Richard Jerry Mcleod faces more than 30 charges of animal cruelty after police discovered he was hoarding 31 dogs at a home near Grooverville and Liberty Church road, WALB reported.

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Mcleod is no stranger to this crime, as he was charged with animal cruelty back in 2016.

According to WALB, Fur Kids, an Alpharetta rescue group, The Brooks County Sheriff’s Office and Thomas County Animal Control all responded to the scene.

There were 15 puppies, 7 dogs and 9 kittens rescued from the home on May 26.

Neglect case happening now‼️ Today we pulled 15 puppies, 7 dogs, and 9 kittens from a horrifying neglect case in Brooks...

Posted by Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters on Thursday, May 26, 2022

Samantha Shelton, founder of Fur Kids told WALB that she didn’t expect so many animals to be recovered. She also said the primary issue the animals faced was malnutrition. Fortunately, she said that is easier to come back from.

Shelton told WALB that they found at least one dog dead at the home, and that two puppies are in the hospital and that many were starving, dehydrated and had worms and fleas.

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“One was tied to a tree. There was no way he could find a way to escape for food or water. So many, if not all, didn’t have access to the proper nutrition,” Shelton told WALB.

Shelton said more help is needed to prevent these types of case.

“These people will go on to do it again. They proved it every time. They will go to do it again. They have to be policed, but we lack the resources to do it, " Shelton told WALB.

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Currently, the animals are in Atlanta, but Shelton told WALB that she is willing to work things out if any South Georgians would be willing to adopt.

Thomasville/Thomas County Humane Society issued the following statement, writing:

”There is a long history with this hoarder in particular. We personally pulled three times the amount of animals off his property years ago. This will hopefully be the last.”

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