Extra Dogs, Extra Challenges For Shelter

By Debbie Williams Reporter

Escambia County Animal Shelter needs your help after influx of 50 confiscated dogs. Extra Dogs, Extra Challenges For Shelter

Published: Thu, April 17, 2008 - 5:25 pm

Debbie Williams

A year long investigation ends with eight people behind bars and drugs, guns and money off the street.
When investigators moved in to get the suspects, they also found 50 dogs in need of care.
They call the neighborhood, "The Hill"
"It's always been nice, it's country," says Ronnie Gailyard. But, it's also been the focus of a year long drug investigation.
"They was busting in my house. I didn't know it was the sheriff's department bust through the door there hollering and a screaming." Clifton Cooks says it was his son they were looking for but they found something else. "They got three dogs from my backyard back there, separated from one another. One in a pen, one in a corner. They wasn't no fighting dogs, they were never fighting.
It wasn't just Cooks dogs that were taken. Almost 50 dogs were taken from the neighborhood, most of them pit bull mixes and now call the Escambia County Animal Shelter home.
Every kennel with a red tag on it holds a dog seized from "The Hill" for neglect. Some of them are healthy, some of them skin and bones. All of them seem grateful according to a veterinarian. "They're so happy today the difference in their attitude they are just bouncing around."
The extra mouths to feed is presenting a challenge for the shelter according to spokesperson Sonya Daniel. "A 50 pound bag of dog food we typically go through 25 of those a day now in addition to the 50 dogs we go through much more than that."
Donations have been coming in all day but more food is needed.
As for Clifton Cooks, he's also been to the shelter, "I'm trying to get them back."
His backyard he says is where at least three of those dogs belong.
The shelter says in addition to dry dog food, donations of flea medication is also needed.
You can drop off any donations at the Escambia County Animal Shelter on Fairfield Drive in Pensacola.