357 Dogs Found Living in "Deplorable Conditions"

Hundreds of dogs have been seized after they were discovered living in filthy conditions on property in eastern Cherokee County. 

The dogs were discovered on property located near the Cherokee-Forsyth county border, and all 357 dogs have been taken in by the Cherokee County Animal Shelter, according to a press release from the Cherokee County Marshal's Office. 

On Tuesday, July 15, officials with the county agency performed a compliance check for property at 14045 Cumming Highway.

The property, which has a Cumming mailing address and owned by Joy Bridger Wise, sits north of the Highway 20 and Hopewell Road intersection. 

The agency discovered "dogs in deplorable conditions" and executed a search warrant. 

Marshal's office officials, Cherokee County Animal Shelter staff, veterinarian and animal activist Victoria Stilwell and Marietta veterinarian Dr. Michael Good all descended onto the scene to assess the situation. 

Officers found the dogs were housed in cages and were being kept in unsanitary conditions. Underneath most cages were feces, urine and dog food that had fallen out through the grates, the marshal's office said. 

Dr. Good, owner of Town & Country Veterinary Clinic, said the property was wooded and secluded, making it impossible to see from the road. 

Good, who also runs the Homeless Pets Foundation, said the dogs were boarded in various cages and wooden hutches commonly used for rabbits.

"Instead of rabbits, you had dogs," he added.  

The animal doctor noted the biggest concern for those on the scene at the time was the dogs' hygiene, which couldn't be properly addressed on-site. 

“They all needed to get out of there because of the hygiene situation," he said, adding he spent close to 14 hours on Tuesday handling the case.