Saturday, April 10, 2010
Not All Dogs Returned Despite Court Order
Despite a court order imposing a 6:00 p.m. Saturday deadline, several dogs seized by members of the Lawrence County Animal Welfare League from Parrott Puppy Farm in Leoma, were not returned to the owners.
In February, league members made their way to the Richardson Road farm after an individual who purchased a puppy filed a complaint, indicating the puppy suffered from a skin condition. Maintaining that the animals were malnourished, inbred, neglected and abused, the league seized approximately 40 dogs from the farm.
Once the dogs were seized league officials began placing them into foster homes and planning for permanent adoption. Those plans were staunched, however, when the owners obtained an injunction, prohibiting the adoptions.
On March 4 District Attorney General Mike Bottoms announced there would be no charges forthcoming against owners Rex and Jennifer Parrott. Bottoms indicated at that time that all dogs should be returned to them.
On Tuesday, Judge Jim Hamilton ordered that the league return all animals removed from the property by the 6:00 p.m. Saturday deadline. Should they fail to do so, league members would be considered to be in contempt of court.
Six were returned by law, one returned by an individual, 11 are still unaccounted for.
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