GRENADA – Authorities said criminal charges will not be brought against a former Greenwood Commonwealth reporter after 13 dogs and three cats were forcibly taken from her home. On May 16, In Defense of Animals (IDA) and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department began seizing 13 dogs and 3 cats from a dilapidated home in north Carroll County belonging to Susie James.
After confirming reports that horribly neglected animals were seen at the home on County Road 221, Carroll County Justice Court Judge Jimmy Avant issued a seizure order for the animals on the property.
Doll Stanley, Director of IDA-HAS, said Carroll County Deputy Brad Carver enacted the order with IDA’s Hope Animal Sanctuary (HAS) in Grenada acting as the humane agent for the Sheriff’s Department since Carroll County does not have animal control.
Stanley said because the animals were not confined and the residence had holes in the floors, a second seizure order was issued and enacted on May 22.
“The dogs suffered Sarcoptic mange, heartworms, internal parasites, ticks, fleas, Parvo, and had grossly overgrown toenails and sores on the pads of their feet,” Stanley said. “Some dogs had “fox tails,” sharply pointed seeds of grass, embedded between their toes.”
Stanley also said two kittens suffering from advanced upper respiratory disease and a thin elderly cat found in the front yard suffering urinary tract distress were also rescued from the property.
James, the resident of the home, was ordered to catch and take the remaining cats who could not be caught during the seizure to Veterinary Associates for exams and treatment.
James subsequently filed an affidavit accusing IDA-HAS Director Doll Stanley of burglary and animal cruelty for removing the kittens from her home without her permission, and for distressing her animals.
District Attorney Doug Evans found no probable cause for the charges and Judge Avant dismissed the affidavits.
During the seizure on May 22, Stanley said James resisted the assistance of Deputy Carver, who asked her to move from the door to the residence so that the second seizure order could be enforced.
James reportedly “jerked” away from Carver, lost her balance and fell, shouting that Carver had shoved her off the porch.
Seven people from the IDA rescue team all witnessed the incident and confirmed to authorities that Carver did not shove James.
The incident prompted Stanley to make an agreement with James to bring her cats for exams at Veterinary Associates.
“We did not want an already volatile situation to escalate,” said Stanley. “Officer Carver has helped IDA with many cruelty cases and it was clear that Ms. James was trying to gain sympathy for her indefensible resistance to the court’s order.”
Stanley said the animals are currently under veterinary care and will be placed for adoption “if and when they recover from a life of neglect,” she said.
IDA was asked, and agreed, to settle for custody of the animals and not to seek criminal charges against James for “reasons of compassion,” Stanley said.
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