Story Created:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:52 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Nov 19, 2009 at 7:13 PM CDT
MAYFIELD, KY- Dirty, malnourished, and scared- just hours after 55 dogs were brought to The Mayfield-Graves Animal Shelter it was obvious to volunteer Amy Hughes, "They lived in cages and had babies."
Last night they again spent the night in a cage. But Hughes says it was much different, "They had full bellies last night, clean paper, and a clean place to sleep."
On Wednesday afternoon the dogs were taken by Graves County Sheriff's Deputies from a Hickory, Kentucky home.
On Thursday morning, staff and volunteers got to work grooming, bathing, and showering the dogs with attention.
While most have a long list of problems ranging from hair loss to flea infestation, Shelter Board President Doug Carneal says he is optimistic.
"I don't see any reason right now why we would have to put them down."
Carneal says the focus in the coming days is making sure that doesn't happen. His voice choked with emotion he added, "We've got hidden emotions so we want to take care of them."
But that costs money and the shelter is already 70-thousand dollars in the red. Now more than ever they are having to rely on donations. On Thursday Terry Wells drove one hundred miles to make a donation.
"I don't know it just got to me last night," he said of the Local Six report he had seen.
The shelter is grateful for the donations and even happier to have the dogs in a safe, warm environment.
"They're doing okay, they really are," Hughes said, as two dogs licked her hands.
Denise Hunter, Michael Hunter, and Wade Peterson will be in court December 16th. Sheriff's Deputies say the three have agreed to sign the dogs over to the shelter. The dogs should be available for adoption in the next few days.
If you would like to help you can do send a monetary donation to the Shelter at: 500 North 12 Street, Mayfield, Ky. 42066.
The Graves County Sheriff's Department cited Denise Hunter, Michael Hunter, and Wade Peterson for misdemeanor cruelty to animals.
Sunday, Nov 22 at 6:08 AM Anonymous wrote ...
I agree with most of you as well. There should be stiffer penalties for this type of cruelty and I wish there was a local ASPCA that could get involved with this. I certainly hope that the animal shelter will keep a closer look at the Hunter's from now on and try and keep them from getting more dogs and starting this all over again.
32490756Saturday, Nov 21 at 12:16 AM no name wrote ...
I THINK THIS IS PATHETIC I HAVE DONE VOLINTER WORK FOR THIS SHELTER I HAVE FOSTERED FOR THIS SHELTER AND THEY WILL DO ALL THEY CAN TO RATE THE DOGS AND THEY WILL HAVE A BETTER LIFE WEATHER THEY GET PUT DOWN OR NOT CAUSE THEY WILL KNOW SOMEONE CARED AND THE SHELTER MAY BE IN THE HOLE BUT THEY WILL GET EVERYTHING THEY NEED THERE WOULD NEVER WISH THE TREATMENT THEY HAD ON MY WORST ENEMY THE DOGS HAVE NO VOICES SO WE HAVE TO BE THERE VOICES
32452061Friday, Nov 20 at 3:42 PM Ms. Johnna wrote ...
I would like to say to Christy Hunter, you are only making things worse for your family by getting on here and attacking people. This is a court case now so bringing it all up like you are in the news is not a good thing. Also, the authorities would not have got involved if there was not a neglect or abuse situation. The pictures in the newspaper discredits you for saying the dogs were taken care of when they show dirty, skinny dogs that are losing hair. A picture is worth a thousand words.
32432256Friday, Nov 20 at 12:11 PM Anonymous wrote ...
Prayers are needed for these people and for the animals.
32417966Friday, Nov 20 at 10:34 AM unknown wrote ...
I think that Christy Hunter needs to take English 101 again....your comments make no sense and you cant spell at all.
32410926Friday, Nov 20 at 10:07 AM Anonymous wrote ...
I wonder, did she bury the ones that have no doubt died putting lard in her pantry, or did she just toss them in a dumpster like so much rubbish?
32409079Friday, Nov 20 at 10:02 AM Anonymous wrote ...
Oh come on, these were sooo obviously NOT family pets, it was a business and the animals were ONLY there and being used to make a profit. If someone falls on hard times and can't take care of them properly, they will sell or give away the ones that are being bred if they have any decency. They won't just keep adding dogs to breed and selling the pups. Unlike the people running it, these dogs were actually EARNING their keep. The shelter should sue for the profits made.
32408766Friday, Nov 20 at 9:03 AM Anonymous wrote ...
I am just glad the situation was not worse. We think my puppy came from this place. I hope that all of the puppies find happy and loving homes.
32405206Friday, Nov 20 at 7:11 AM cricket wrote ...
If people was getting hear both sides.Then maybe i could understand it.But if you all the whole then it maybe deffrent.But you r all just hearing one and thats the you all what to hear.If you all onep yours eyes alittle closer then you them starved.Have not of every whached animal plant>Whach it and see what starved and abuse dogs look like!!!!!!!!!!!!!
32400949Friday, Nov 20 at 6:55 AM Cindy wrote ...
Those poor animals deserve so much more after what they have been put through. I know not all will be adopted and some will be put down so you people get out there and see if one of them could become your best friend. I have recently adopted one and can not take another but would if I could.
32400696Friday, Nov 20 at 5:57 AM Homer wrote ...
@ Cricket this is why this is called an open forum comment section so we can say what we think. It is not always the correct response for everybody and not all will be pleased with the comments. Everything is not literal have a bit of common sense.
32399811Friday, Nov 20 at 3:12 AM CHRISTY HUNTER wrote ...
ONCE ANGIN THESE DOGS WAS NOT LOCK OUT IN HURSH WEATHER CONDITOINS OR STARVED. THEY WAS FEED AND THEY HAD HEATERS IN THE BUILDINGS THAT THEY WERE IN AND AIR IN THE SUMMER!!!!!!!!! AND PEOPLE PLEASE DON'T TELL ME YA'LL HAVE NEVER A OUTSIDE DOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!
32398314Friday, Nov 20 at 1:09 AM Ashley wrote ...
Whether or not this was a puppymill, it is clear animal abuse. Dogs are living creatures, and if you care for your pet as I do, they are treated as a member of the family. I would not lock 55 of my loved ones in kennels outdoors to be attacked by fleas, endure harsh weather conditions, nor let them starve. Puppymills and animal abuse disgust me. I also feel that a misdemeanor is not appropriate. A slap on the wrist will not fix the problem!
32396106Friday, Nov 20 at 12:55 AM Homer wrote ...
There is a time when you take a look around and say I have done all I can do for these animals and ask for extra help before you are put in this position and accused of misconduct. Now the animals are in someone elses care that is asking for help and the truth about it now is, they are in a county shelter and if if not adopted they will be put down like all the animals that do not get adopted from these county shelters.
32395744Friday, Nov 20 at 12:49 AM CHRISTY HUNTER wrote ...
THAT I SAID IS A LIE. I NEVER SAID THAT TO ANY ONE.SO IF YOU HAVE ABOUT ME SAY IT TO ME THANK YOU
32395609Friday, Nov 20 at 12:46 AM CHRISTY HUNTER wrote ...
BUT IS NOT MY MOTHER OR MY SON OR WADE FOR FACT.THE WAS NOT HUNGRY NOT BEAT NOT MISTREATED.I AM NOT SAYING THEY DIDN'T HAVE FLIES. BUT ANYONE OF YOU THAT HAVE DOGS OUTSIDE CAN NOT THAT THEY DON'T HAVE FLIES.THE REMARKS ABOUT SISTER THAT WAS WAS UNCALLED. SHE PASTED WAY OVER A YEAR AGO.BUT IF SHE WAS HERE SHE WOULD BE TALLING YA'LL THE SAMETHING I AM RIGHT NOW.SO YOU DONT MIND LEAVE HER NAME OUT OF THIS PLEASE.AS FOR THE PERSON THAT BLOGED AT 3:16 THESE MORNING AS MERCY ME THE THING YOU SAID I
32395521Friday, Nov 20 at 12:34 AM CHRISTY HUNTER wrote ...
FROM GOING HUNGRY OR WITHOUT.MY ARE THE BIGGEST ANINAL LOVERS IN GRAVES CO. I THINK YTOU NEED TO HEAR THE WHOLE STORY BEFORE YOU GO TO JUDGING PEOPLE AT THE DROP OF A HAT.THESE WAS FEED AND TAKE CARE AS IF THEY WAS HER CHILDEN SHE LOVE THEM ALL.SHE HAS BEEN A EVERY SICK LADY FOR THE LAST YEAR AND HAD ALL BEEN GIVEN TO A RESUCE THAT WAS ON THERE WAY OUT SATURDAY TO PICK THEM UP. BUT THE DOGS WAS MISTREATED OR ABUSE. YOU PEOPLE MAKE ME SICK.I HAVE THE PEOPLE THAT TREATS THERE ANIMALS THIS WAY.
32395289Friday, Nov 20 at 12:24 AM CHRISTY HUNTER wrote ...
I WANT ALL YOU PEOPLE TO KNOW THIS MY FAMLIY YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.THIS MY MOTHER AND MY SON.THERE IS PEOPLE THAT WILL TELL YOU WE HAVE DONE WITHOUT TO MAKE SURE THESE ANIMALS HAVE HAD THE BEST OF EVEYTHING.AS FAR AS PUPPYMILL MY MOTHER IS NOT.MY MOTHER MAY SAY WHATS ON HER MIND AND PEOPLE MAY NOT LIKE WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY BUT SHE HAS ALWAYS LOVED HAR ANIMALS. THERE IS PEOPLE OUT HERE THAT KNOWS US THAT WILL TELL YOU PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE TAKE ANIMALS IN THAT NO ONE ELSE WOULD TAKE TO KEEP THEM
32395026Thursday, Nov 19 at 11:20 PM no justice in the justice system wrote ...
Wonder why these folks only got 1 misdemeanor charge each and there were 60 dogs they should have been charged a felony for each dog just like the last one's in that area got, and what was the difference they should have went to jail as well. Seems to me that the laws are how the GCSO want them to be and for who they want them to be for . I feel all should be treated equally and not one sided. Seems like someone needs to look into why this was handled different.
32393084Thursday, Nov 19 at 7:58 PM joe wrote ...
I am glad to hear that we have nice,caring people that works in the animal shelter.We need to say way to go animal shelter workers. And I hope those three people get something for this. Because they need to show people that they can't get away with treating animals like that. But as long as they don't get anything bad people will keep on doing it. Show the people what will happen when they be mean to animals. God please watch over these animals.
32385554Thursday, Nov 19 at 7:14 PM Carolyn Deweese wrote ...
It is such a shame what people do to innocent animals. The laws need to be stricter on these people. Usually all people like this get is a slap on the wrist. No animal or child should have to suffer like this.
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