Three people are in custody after a horrifying discovery of nearly thirty dead dogs and two dozen malnourished survivors at a residential property in Alabama.
Grisly Discovery in the Back Yard
Officers from the Lee County Sheriff's Office were called to the home on 17 January 2026 following a neighbour's report concerning the welfare of animals. Upon arrival, investigators made a shocking find in the garden.
Approximately 29 deceased dogs were located, placed inside plastic bags and discarded in a pile. The animals ranged in age from puppies to adults. Inside the residence, a further 24 living dogs were found, but all appeared to be in a severely weakened and emaciated state.
Arrests Made at the Scene
The three residents were swiftly taken into police custody. Those arrested have been named as Curtis Dewayne Haralson, Patricia Ann Sims, and Tiffany Ann Sims.
All surviving dogs were removed from the property and taken into protective care. While formal charges are pending as the investigation continues, authorities have indicated the severity of the case.
In an official statement, the sheriff's office confirmed the probe "will more than likely result in felony charges for all three individuals."
Second Disturbing Case of Neglect Emerges
This alarming incident follows another recent case of alleged neglect in Alabama, which also involved both animals and a child. In a separate investigation by the Mobile County Sheriff's Office, a couple were arrested after their 14-year-old daughter was found living alone in a caravan.
The teenager was reportedly discovered in a state of squalor, with the trailer said to be covered in urine, faeces, insects, and rubbish. Police also found a dead dog inside a wardrobe.
The girl's mother, 43-year-old Marchelle Pertilla, and her partner, 52-year-old Eugene Medrano, have been charged with child abuse. Both also face multiple counts of second-degree cruelty to dogs relating to the other animals found at the scene.
Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch stated authorities are "continuing to search for answers on why this young girl was living alone."
These back-to-back cases have cast a stark light on severe instances of neglect within the state, prompting renewed scrutiny from law enforcement and animal welfare organisations.
