By By MARY-ALLISON LANCASTER – Managing editor
A man charged with animal cruelty signed over custody of his animals to the Humane Society Friday morning during a deposition hearing. Acting on a tip, investigators investigated a home in East Brewton last week and found more than a dozen animals chained and roaming – unshielded from the elements - some with life-threatening injuries.
Humane Society cruelty investigator Renee Jones said Monday that Calvin Green, of East Brewton, is prohibited from having any further ownership of animals. Jones said that Humane Society has the right to inspect Green's home without prior notification to make certain he abides by the prohibition.
Criminal misdemeanor charges have been nol prossed, but could be reinstated at a later date. Jones said that if the Humane Society finds Green has violated the ruling, they will prosecute to the fullest extent.
Last week, Humane Society investigators found 13 neglected animals at Green's unoccupied home, most of them were chained. A raccoon and a chicken were also seized from the home.
Jones said that it is illegal to keep any wild animal as a pet, or to fatten it up.
According to a statement from Jones last week, one of the dogs had been tethered with an orange electrical cord wrapped around its neck, while a female dog, who had given birth to a littler of puppies, had been chained in such a way that she couldn't lie down. All of the puppies have since died.
Now that the Humane Society has been given full custody, they are assessing the dogs and addressing their physical conditions. Some, she said, need further veterinary treatment. Several of the dogs are adoptable, but some have shown aggressive behavior and Humane Society workers are working to rehabilitate them.
&#8220Chaining is the least desirable way to keep a pet,” Jones said. &#8220That is not a life to be kept on a chain where your entire world is a circle of dirt.”
Vet bills have already reached about $500, and that price is likely to rise due to the severity of injuries several of the dogs have sustained. The Humane Society is a non-profit organization and relies heavily on donations. Anyone interested in donating specifically for the care of these dogs should send donations earmarked &#8220vet care” to the Humane Society located at 2763 South Blvd., Brewton, Alabama, 36426.