GPD works to find abandoned animals homes

Saturday, August 24, 2013
Two of the three dogs are being kept in kennels in the backyard of Golden property on Avenue E.

Since the closing of the Putnam County Humane Society animal shelter two years ago there has been no place to shelter lost or abandoned animals -- a fact that hit home recently when Greencastle City Police officers were called to an Avenue E home that was housing 13 animals.

Police were sent to the home of Christina Golden at 1052 Avenue E on Aug. 4 after a neighbor voiced concern about animals being left without food and water for nearly a week. Neighbors also complained of a smell emanating from the property.

Lead officer Sgt. Charles Inman investigated the complaints and found several animals without food or water or at least inadequate amounts.

Officers found seven dogs and two cats outside the East Side home. Three of the dogs, dachshunds, had been put into a makeshift cage consisting of plywood and a neighbor's fence. These dogs were placed in homes after the investigation.

Two-mixed breed puppies were found in a kennel in the back yard, while one adult mixed-breed dog was in another kennel, a hound dog was tied on a short leash to a trailer in the front lawn and two adult cats were left to wander the yard.

Upon further investigation Sgt. Inman and other responding officers reported seeing three or four more dogs inside the home.

In his police report, Inman indicated all the animals were considerably thin, a fact that spurred Inman and fellow officers to buy food for the animals out of their own pockets. Neighbors had helped by providing what food and water that they could up to that point.

In the city of Greencastle residents are only allowed to have two pets at a residence. Golden was issued citations in excess of $350 regarding the state of the animals. Officers continued to provide food for the animals and checked in on them until Golden returned.

The homeowner came in to pay the citations while officers came to do a follow-up investigation of the property.

At the follow-up investigation Inman noted that Golden, her seven children, three dogs and a raccoon were all living in the home.

She was asked about the raccoon and reported no knowledge of it. However, one of Golden's children reportedly stated, "Oh yeah mom ... he (the raccoon) is one of the nice ones," during police questioning.

Golden also told officers she and the children would be moving out of state and only taking one of the dogs with them. She told officers that she was trying to find homes for the other animals and needed at least two weeks to do so.

Here a cat roams freely after being abandoned by its owner.

At a follow-up visit on Aug. 8 there were still five dogs and one cat present at the home.

Officers have continued to try and keep the dogs and cats fed and watered. Five of the dogs have since found homes in the surrounding area, two dogs have presumably been removed by the Goldens and one of the cats has died after being hit by a car directly in front of the residence.

"You will find most of us (officers) are real animal lovers," GPD Sgt. Inman said. "We've called local animal shelters and been trying to find homes for these animals, but no one can take them."

Several GPD officers continue to provide food for the four remaining animals, while neighbors have been providing water since the water service to the Golden residence has been shut off.

"I think there is a home out there for each of them," Inman told the Banner Graphic, "we just need to find it."

Golden has been issued several citations concerning treatment of the animals on the property. The Prosecutor's Office has issued a summons to her in regard to charges of animal cruelty.

For more information regarding the three remaining dogs -- one adult pointer and two coon pups -- or the mixed-breed cat, persons may call 247-4241 or email tsutherlin@cityofgreencastle.com or cinman@cityofgreencastle.com.

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  • I would like to help out. How can I do that?

    -- Posted by missp on Sat, Aug 24, 2013, at 3:19 PM
  • I am proud about how the Geencasle police have handled this problem. Also good! Good for the neighbers who saw a problem and cared for the anamals.

    -- Posted by tetsie on Sat, Aug 24, 2013, at 10:41 PM
  • All of the dogs have been adopted!

    -- Posted by Geologist on Sun, Aug 25, 2013, at 7:19 PM
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