Nearly 20 dogs are in need of homes after they were rescued Thursday morning from a Clayton County home.
Clayton officers were called to the 1000 block of Holly Circle shortly before 11 a.m. regarding a “foul odor” coming from a home, police said. The 911 caller advised dispatch that a woman lived at the residence and they were concerned about “someone being deceased.”
When officers arrived, they said 58-year-old Maria Martinez began throwing dogs out of the windows.
Flies were buzzing around the home and Martinez refused to allow officers inside, according to police spokeswoman Julia Isaac. Officers told Martinez they had to make sure there was not a dead body due to the odor.
“Upon entry, officers encountered horrible living conditions with dog feces and urine everywhere,” Isaac said.
Eighteen dogs and one rabbit were rescued and taken to Clayton animal control, where 16 of the dogs are now available for adoption. Some of them have fleas and mange and are being treated at the shelter, Isaac confirmed.
“We are asking Clayton County citizens and any of the citizens in the surrounding counties to please, please assist us in adopting these babies,” she said.
Officers said they were able to confirm that there were no bodies inside the home, but Martinez was arrested and booked into the Clayton jail. She is facing 19 counts of animal cruelty and obstruction of law enforcement.
Those looking to adopt one of the rescued dogs should contact Clayton County Animal Control at rescue.coordinator@claytoncountyga.gov or call 770-347-0210 or 770-477-3509.
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