Georgia cracks down on animal abuse after major rescue operations

ATLANTA (WJBF) - Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said the state is ramping up efforts to investigate and prosecute violations of animal welfare laws.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture, which houses its own state law enforcement agency, focuses on protecting companion animals, livestock, and the food supply.

Just last week, investigators rescued 32 dogs from a northwest Georgia home. Officials reported the animals were found in unsanitary outdoor conditions and inside a hazardous structure, many suffering from poor health and lack of veterinary care.

“Most of what we find is a lack of care — not feeding the animals properly or providing the proper veterinary treatment,” said Harper.

This was the second large-scale rescue in the region in the past month. In a recent Dad