February 7, 2007 - Georgia Department of Agriculture staff removed a total of 99 horses, ponies and donkeys Friday and Saturday from a property in Pike County out of concern for the animals' health and safety.

The animals are now under shelter and are receiving food, water, and veterinary care. Horses that are showing clinical signs of illness are being treated and maintained in isolation.

The Department also removed 67 dogs and three rabbits from the property. They are being cared for in animal shelters across the state. Some of these were surrendered by their owner. They will be available for adoption when they are well or, in the case of the puppies, old enough to leave their mothers. The impounded dogs that were not surrendered will not be available for adoption or release until this case is adjudicated.

"I want to thank my staff and a large number of people and organizations and agencies that have stepped forward to assist with this case including: Atlanta Humane Society, Dekalb County Animal Services, Fayette County Animal Services, Georgia Equine Rescue League, Horsetown Western Stores, Humane Society of the United States, City of Madison Animal Control, Meriwether County Animal Control, Muscogee County Humane Society, and Thomaston-Upson County Animal Control," said Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin. "Because our impound program receives no state funding, this effort would not have been possible without their help or with the help of the people who have volunteered or offered donations or supplies."

Anyone wanting to make a donation to help with the care and feeding of the animals impounded by the department can send a check to:

Georgia Department of Agriculture, Room 210
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Atlanta, GA 30334

Please make the check payable to "Georgia Department of Agriculture" and write "horses," "dogs" or "general impound fund" in the check's memo line.

The Georgia Equine Rescue League is managing the logistics of equine feed and hay. To send a donation which can be earmarked specifically for this case, send a check to:

Georgia Equine Rescue League
P.O. Box 787
Locust Grove, GA 30248
Place "Pike County Impound" in the check's memo line. For more information see: www.gerlltd.org.