Adams County dog hoarding case grows

By WENDY MITCHELL

There are not enough words to describe the filth and unsanitary conditions more than 64 dogs have been living in under the care of a West Union family, Adams County officials said on Tuesday.

Beginning Monday, officials seized more than four dozen dogs belonging to the Nixon family; Tuesday it got worse, officials said.

About 3 p.m., Tuesday, members of County Animal Removal Team made a heartbreaking discovery at the property of Joyce and Evelyn Nixon in Lynx, Ohio.

"We found a dog house, it is almost covered to the roof with whatever excrement and filth there is in the dog pen; there are puppies inside," said Paul Hughes, Adams County dog warden.

In boxes stored at mobile homes on the site, Hughes said he found the remains of deceased dogs and puppies since the removal operations began on Monday; Tuesday there was life.

"We heard them crying; they are alive," Hughes said, eager to get the dog house dug out so rescuers could get to the puppies.

The dog house was nearly four feet deep in waste, he said.

At last count there were 65 to 70 dogs which had been removed from the property; many have been taken to a safe location for evaluation and care, Hughes said.

"I have never seen anything this bad. It is awful. We were just getting ready to move more of the dogs when we heard them," Hughes said.

On Monday, Joyce Nixon told reporters she had been ill and lost her job, which allowed the situation at the property there and at 519 East Main Street in West Union to get out of control.

Her intention was to develop a safe shelter for homeless dogs, but her program had not received a nonprofit status and she was unable to get funding for the project, Nixon said..." More

photo: Terry Prather/Staff

(photo of Joyce Nixon)

Harrisonburg couple sentenced for animal cruelty

HARRISONBURG, VA. — A Harrisonburg couple have been sentenced on animal cruelty charges stemming from the seizure of 31 animals.

A Rockingham County General District Court judge found 26-year-old Ronald Lee Adams and 20-year-old Tiffany Kay Dimick guilty of misdemeanor animal cruelty on Tuesday. Judge Richard Claybrook called the couple's actions "irresponsible."

Claybrook sentenced Adams to 10 days in jail. Dimick, who is pregnant, received five days of litter pickup. Both defendants also received one year of probation and were prohibited from owning animals for the next two years.

Authorities acting on a tip raided a home in Timberville on Aug. 10 and seized 31 animals, including dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rats and a squirrel. Nine animals later died..." More

Oct 14, 2009: Couple Pleads to

Animal Cruelty Charges

A couple from Timberville has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty after dozens of starving pets were removed from their home.

A couple from Timberville has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty after dozens of starving pets were removed from their home.

Tiffany Dimick and Ronald Adams entered the guilty plea Tuesday.

Both of them are ordered to pay a $100 fine and reimburse the SPCA for caring for the animals. They also cannot own animals for two years.

Adams will serve ten days in jail, but Dimick will not go to jail.

In August, deputies removed dogs, cats, rabbits and a squirrel from the home. Deputies say the animals did not have food or water.." More & video

Sept 6, 2009: Got An Animal House?

By Pete DeLea

HARRISONBURG - Queenie, a German shepherd who was among 31 animals seized from a Timberville home last month, lost her seven puppies.

Rockingham County SPCA officials say the seven puppies, along with two kittens, have died. But the remaining 22 animals - which range from cats and dogs to rabbits and rats - should be available for adoption soon.

"We already have some potential adopters, so we're very happy about that," said Anne Anderson, executive director of the local SPCA.

On Aug. 13, Rockingham County deputies and animal control officers raided a home in the 8000 block of Wine Store Road, following a tip they received the previous day.

Outside the home, deputies found 12 dogs chained to a kennel. They had little or no food and the water available was unfit to drink, deputies said.

In addition to the dogs, three rabbits, some guinea pigs, a rat, multiple cats and a squirrel were seized. The squirrel has since been transferred to the Virginia Wildlife Center.

Deputies have charged Ronald Lee Adams, 26, and Tiffany Kay Dimick, 20, both of Harrisonburg, with misdemeanor animal cruelty.

The suspects are due in Rockingham County General District Court on Tuesday.

While the criminal case moves forward, SPCA officials are attempting to nurse the animals, which were initially said to be in "poor condition," back to good health.

While some of the cats - Mary, Midnight and Patches - have respiratory illnesses, Anderson said many of the animals are gaining weight.

Megan, a black-and-white Great Dane that stands more than 5 feet tall, has become a favorite among staffers.

"She seems to be the favorite because of her personality," Anderson said..." More

Dog Photo by Pete Marovich