Court cases have overwhelmed Warren County Animal Control and Adoption Center. 

“We are very limited on dog space due to court cases,” said Animal Control director Sherri Bradley. “The shelter only has 15 kennels and over 30 dogs. Twenty-six of those are involved in court cases.”

Dogs involved in an abuse or neglect court cased must be held at Animal Control until those allegations are resolved.

Bradley says additional space is needed to alleviate overcrowding.

“We definitely need more space to accommodate stray and dumped animals. We have numerous animals that are dumped/ left behind. With our agency prosecuting these cases, it keeps our kennels full,” she said.

Bradley says some of the court cases are dogs that have been dumped, while others are cases in which pet owners relocate and leave their dog behind.

One of those cases occurred on Oct. 1, 2021 when five puppies and a female German shepherd were discovered on Spencer Road in the area of Shellsford Road. A two-week investigation by Warren County Sheriff’s Department ended with the arrest of Ronnie Glenn Bain, 58. Investigators allege that he was responsible for abandoning the animals. Four puppies died. The surviving puppy, named Lazarus, and the adult dog remain at Animal Control due to the ongoing case. 

Abandoned animals can undergo severe stress and a crowded shelter, with its hustle, bustle and clatter, may not be the best fit.

“We hope in the future we will be able to house these animals away from the general public so it causes less stress to the animals,” said Bradley. “We are looking into at least fixing the kennels we have because they are deteriorating.”

Until the situation improves, Warren County Animal Control and Adoption Center may not be able to accept surrendered animals.