Animal Cruelty Cases To Be Filed To Owner of Puppy Found Dead in Backyard, Woman With 180 Animals

Police are filing aggravated animal cruelty to a Newnan resident after finding a dead, malnourished puppy chained to a tree in his backyard.

On Wednesday morning, investigators of the Newnan Police Department responded to probation compliance check on Smith Street and discovered a deceased puppy.

Puppy in Poor Condition

According to Deputy Chief Mark Cooper with the Newnan Police Department, the puppy was chained around the neck, and a rusty padlock held the chain that was attached to a tree. Bolt cutters were used to remove the chain from the animal and the tree.

The food bowl contained dirt and leaves and the water container was out of reach as the dog was constrained in the neck.

Authorities deem that the puppy had been malnourished for at least a month already. The ribs were visible and the dog had no indication of muscle or fat on her body, which are apparent signs of malnutrition.

The puppy's body was moved to University of Georgia for necropsy.

Patdrious Devoshun Meriwether,26, admitted ownership to the animal. Ask why he treated the puppy that way, he told the police "It's just a dog." Meriwether is charged with aggravated animal cruelty and violation of the Georgia firearms and weapons act.

Meriwether was arrested and sent to Coweta County Jail. He was however released on Thursday afternoon after paying the $7,900 bond.

In Georgia, aggravated animal cruelty constitutes felony and is punishable with up to five years in jail.

READ: Mother Swan "Dies from a Broken Heart" After Teens Smashed Its Nest and Eggs

Animal Cruelty Cases Filed To Woman With More Than 180 Animals

Meanwhile, in Delaware, Linda Favre, 65, was charged with several counts of animal cruelty after authorities seized more than 180 animals from her home Wednesday last week.

Favre was arrested after police officers received a tip about the deplorable conditions of the animals. A search warrant was executed and authorities found 182 cats and a dog living in her home in what authorities described as "deplorable condition."

Officials also reported that they removed one dead cat from the home, and two more cats died later.

Brandywine Valley SPCA, the state's contracted shelter provider took custody of the rescued animals.

According to BVSPCA, one dog and 118 cats were placed for adoption or moved to another shelter or rescue organization's adoption program. Sixty one cats are still available for adoption from BVSPCA.

READ ALSO: Woman Sentenced to Jail for Leaving Animals in 'Horrific Condition'

Rising Cases of Animal Cruelty

According to the Humane Society of the United States, the increasing number of animal cruelty cases reported is just "the tip of the iceberg" as a lot of cases do not get reported.

Most animal abuses that are often reported are dogs, cats, horses and livestock. People who are intentionally cruel to animals are often correlated with other crimes including violence against people.

Hoarding behavior sufferers, or those who are imposing severe neglect on animals by housing far more than they can take care of is often and indicator of people in need of social mental health services.

A study also indicates that people who intentionally abuse animals are mostly men under 30, while those who often hoard animal are likely women above 60 years old.

Animal cruelty and neglect is common across all social and economic boundaries, and are prevalent both in rural and urban areas.

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