Mack Welch

40+ dogs found in deplorable conditions

Georgetown, GA

July 31, 2006

Renee Klein and several Georgetown residents are again asking local authorities for help, alleging there are more than forty neglected dogs living on a piece of land near Klein’s property.  Klein became involved after a woman renting a house from her complained of constant barking, foul odors and emaciated dogs roaming in her yard.  Klein claims the dogs’ owner rents them out for hunting trips.

When Klein investigated, she found horrible conditions – no food, no water, puppies running, puppies infested with fleas and ticks, visible evidence of mange, dogs on chains perhaps six feet long, dogs running with broken chains where they had broken out.  She discovered feces everywhere and the dogs are living in it.

Klein and Angel Dogs, a local animal rescue group, have been working together to get authorities to do something about the situation.  Klein states that a police report confirms the neglect, it does not appear that anything has been done to make the situation better for the dogs.

           

                          (Photo's courtesy of WTVM9)

Another police report was filed before the Sheriff found a dead dog.  He also described the situation as deplorable.

Mack Welch, the owner of the dogs stated that he does have someone who is responsible for feeding his dogs and that he believes the dogs are in good health.  He also stated that he believes that the dead dog found on his property did not belong to him and that he believes someone poisoned the dog and placed it on the property to get him in trouble.

Update:  8/16/06

The District Attorney is looking into the allegations of the conditions of Welch's animals.  The Department of Agriculture confirms that there are more than 40 dogs on the property.  Yet when the inspection by the veterinarian was done they were shown only 18 dogs because the rest had been moved.  Those 18 dogs appeared to be healthy.  However the DA's office agreed to continue to investigate this case.

At the 8/15/06 Quitman County Commission meeting the subject of Welch's dogs came up.  They commission stated they do not have money for a full time animal control officer, but need to come up with an ordinance for the county.  In 2 weeks, the county will vote o an ordinance that will make rabies vaccinations a requirement.  That law doesn't exist in the county right now.

Reference:

WTVM9