FLORENCE – Judge Mike Jones, has agreed to hold a hearing to determine the fate of 13 pit bulls rescued last week from squalid conditions in Lauderdale County.
Jones was asked by District Attorney, Chris Connolly to determine the state of the dogs; whether diseased, injured or lack their usual purpose as a result of the environment they once lived in. If it is found they are unable to be rehabilitated, authorities will be asked to humanly euthanize the animals.
The 13 dogs were confiscated from a residence on Lauderdale 41.Two men have been charged with criminal possession of fighting dogs. Quinton Butler, 31, of Florence is charged with 11 counts of criminal possession of fighting dogs and Dereus Qualls, 35, of Sheffield is charged with two counts of criminal possession of fighting dogs. The dogs have been under the care of a veterinarian and separated from one another. Now the decision as to what to do with the dogs is the next step.
The Connolly’s office filed a motion in the Circuit Court to rehabilitate the dogs and place them in foster homes. Tuesday, Judge Jones set the hearing for July 8.
After the pit bulls were rescued, they were taken to a Georgia rescue shelter by agents of the Atlanta Humane Society. A security firm, Norred and Associates, works closely with the Atlanta Humane Society, and are experts in rehabilitating fighting dogs. It is believed by the Norred group that the dogs can be rehabilitated. However, due to the ownership issue of the animals, they are unable to begin the rehabilitation process, and they are unable to send them to foster homes. That is where Judge Jones comes in.
See the previous story of the rescue of the 13 dogs HERE
