The Humane Society of Morgan County, Inc. exists for the purposes of preventing cruelty to, relieving the suffering of, and providing humane treatment for animals. It is also the HSMC’s function to determine, and then to eliminate, the causes of animal suffering through various means, including, but not limited to education, legislation and general promotion of the humane ethic. Under no circumstances shall the HSMC permit an animal in its care or custody to undergo any experimentation, nor shall it release an animal for any such experimentation.

The HSMC is made up of volunteers dedicated to the welfare of companion animals. All animals that come into our care are housed in foster homes until they can be matched with a carefully screened, permanent home. While in our care, they are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, treated for any illnesses or injuries, and started on quality heartworm and flea prevention. In addition to rescue and adoption, we provide financial assistance for spaying/neutering, an annual reduced-cost vaccination clinic as well as educational materials for the community.

HSMC Adds $1000 to $5000 HSUS Reward for Information Leading to Arrest and Conviction for Illegal Animal Fighting in Local Area

In a move aimed at combatting local dogfighting operations, the Humane Society of Morgan County is adding $1000 to the existing $5000 reward offered by the Humane Society of the United States.

As part of an aggressive campaign to stamp out dogfighting in America, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is offering $5,000 to those who provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person involved in illegal animal fighting. Public service announcements in varying lengths of 15, 30 and 60 seconds are available at
www.hsus.org/animalfightingpsa.

Tip from Humane Society of United States leads to Cobb County Dog-fighting Bust and Arrests

The 16 pit bulls were tethered with logging chains. Attached to each dog's collar were two 5-pound weights to help them build neck and leg strength for fighting.

They had no bedding, even when outside temperatures dropped below freezing. They had plenty of wounds. But no food.

The 11 adults and five puppies were malnourished and underweight when police raided the 5-acre dog-fighting training center on South Gordon Road in Austell on Monday.

Michael E. Sweeney, 45, and Erik M. Vann, 28, both of Austell, were each charged with 16 counts of animal cruelty and dog fighting, a felony in Georgia, police said.

The information about the dogs and the conditions is outlined in arrest warrants.

The animals were taken to Cobb County Animal Control, said Officer Cassie Reece, a spokeswoman of the Cobb Police Department.

Acting on a tip from the Humane Society of the United States, police raided the property after a two-month investigation.

Vann told police that he and Sweeney had been involved in dog fighting "for a couple of months," according to Vann's arrest warrant.

Dog-fighters put weights on dog's collars as a way of "strengthening the dogs' necks and rear legs," according to the warrant.

Police also found 105 grams crack cocaine, which was packaged for sale, a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, and a .22 caliber Ruger revolver at the property, according to the warrants.

Sweeney and Vann also were charged with cocaine trafficking, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and theft by receiving stolen property - the Ruger.

Police also arrested five people on misdemeanor marijuana possession charges. They were: Barbara J. Jennings, 42; Kimberly J. Jenkins, 40; and Esther E. Bravo,39, all of Austell; and Lasunda S. McQueen, 25, of Selma, Ala.; and Jackqulin N. Bagley, 33, of Sylacauga, Ala.

Bagley also was charged with giving a false name and date of birth.