Police confiscate 30 dogs from Lithonia residence

Officials with the DeKalb County Police Department said they are investigating a potential animal cruelty case after rescuing 30 dogs from “inhumane conditions.”

The incident occurred on May 3 at a residence on Creekford Lane in Lithonia after police received a call from DeKalb County Code Enforcement.

“Once on scene, officers observed several dogs on the property living in inhumane conditions and suffering from malnourishment,” stated police. “We, alongside DeKalb Animal Services, conducted a search warrant of the location which resulted in the seizure of 30 dogs and the remains of another. Two of the rescued animals had severe injuries and were without access to food, water, and lighting.”

Police said arrest warrants have been obtained but at press time, police had not released the names on the arrest warrants.

The addition of 30 dogs to the county’s already overcrowded shelters puts LifeLine Animal Project, the nonprofit in charge of DeKalb County Animal Services, into “an emergency situation” according to officials.

“We only have space for 11 of the 30 new dogs and we currently have 548 dogs in our care,” stated officials with LifeLine Animal Project. “We shared last week that 150 adopters and fosters are urgently needed. This is now even more of an emergency situation. The medium and large dogs from this animal cruelty case are not yet available for adoption as they need to receive veterinary care and there is now an ongoing investigation. But, we do need adopters and fosters for other dogs to make much-needed space to take them in.”

In April, Officials with LifeLine Animal Project, which manages both DeKalb and Fulton counties’ animal shelters, said they needed help to save the lives of 300 pets facing euthanasia due to overcrowding.

“The shelters are truly in crisis and need help,” said officials with LifeLine Animal Project.

The investigation into the animal cruelty case is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the East Investigative Unit at 770-482-0309.

For more information, visit https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/police-services and https://lifelineanimal.org/.