CAMDEN, Ind. (WTHR) – The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office removed dozens of allegedly neglected dogs from a home in rural Camden during a month-long investigation. James and Shannon Ballard face nine counts each of animal cruelty, all misdemeanors.
Court records show the investigation began May 24th with a call to the sheriff from a mail carrier who said several dogs were in the road and being aggressive. Carroll County animal control officer and special deputy Erica Draper responded with two deputies and found 20 dogs outside the home, 10 running loose, and they could hear more barking inside. They found a dead pit bull terrier in the yard and another pit bull terrier bit a deputy on the thigh.
Unable to find a homeowner, they left but came back a day later. Shannon Ballard agreed to surrender nine dogs in the worst condition, malnourished or injured.
"We were locating instances of animal fighting amongst themselves, not necessarily trained for that purpose. But just whether it be tension or frustration amongst themselves, they were taking it out on each other. There was some biting that had been going on and things like that,” said Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby.
The sheriff believes the couple simply took on more animals than they could handle until the situation was out of control and their pets were left neglected. "Unfortunately that got into the food, water and shelter - the basics for animals and they just became overwhelmed,” said Leazenby.
Dr. Kelli Werling from the Indiana State Board of Animal Health determined that at least six dogs had been neglected by being too thin and/or having wounds that were not treated.
Draper returned to the home May 28th and Shannon Ballard agreed to surrender 10 more dogs. Dr. Werling determined four other those dogs were neglected. 19 others remained on the property.
The investigation took authorities back to the house this week with a search warrant. 18 more dogs (for a total of at least 36), were removed from the property, plus four cats and 10 chickens.
Leazenby says this investigation was unprecedented for a county of this size and population. Almost Home Humane Society of Lafayette , PawSwap of Lafayette and Critter’s Chance of Plainfield helped shelter and foster the animal