Friday July 3, 2009, 6:00 am
:( Don't like the possibility of him getting the dogs back... Thanks Maria!

HOLLISTER — Seventy-six dogs were seized Thursday from cages and sheds scattered around a Putnam County mobile home after an investigation of conditions the animals were under.

“We saw 76 dogs in cages,” said Maj. Dwight Parker of the Sheriff’s Office. “There were several pregnant ones confined in a shed.”

About 60 tropical birds also were found on the property on Lisa Drive just outside Palatka but were not removed, he said.

Authorities believe the dogs had been there less than a month and were purchased from a woman in Central Florida who was going out of business.

Parker said the animals were in fair condition but some had apparent eye infections that will need treatment.

The animal breeds included Pekingese, Yorkies, Pomeranians, long-haired dachshunds, Chihuahuas and terriers, authorities said. About 60 of the dogs are adults.

Parker said apart from the pregnant females, all the dogs were in cages behind the mobile home and did not have sufficient food, water or room to exercise.

He said Jim Kight, the owner of the property was not there when animal control supervisor Nikki Cavanaugh went to the mobile home about 10 a.m. after receiving the tip.

Parker said Kight was not charged Thursday. He said the Sheriff’s Office is working with Kight to return the animals if he complies with regulations.

John Salmons, chief code enforcement officer for Putnam County, said the property was not zoned for a kennel and proper facilities for waste disposal had not been set up.

Kight also will need a special permit to keep birds found on the property, he said.

Parker said the birds were left on the property because it appeared they had been there for some time and were being adequately cared for.

On Thursday a woman at the mobile home when authorities arrived was taking care of the animals and was cooperative. She has not been charged.

Parker said Kight lived in Hollister but not at the mobile home.

The animals were taken to the county animal shelter and will be examined by veterinarian Perry Smith at his clinic in East Palatka. Smith, a former president of the Humane Society of Northeast Florida, said he will treat any eye infections, worm the dogs and possibly administer rabies and distemper shots, he said.

Authorities went to the property after receiving an anonymous tip, Parker said.

The county will place the animals with foster care providers until any legal action is finished, he said.

A number listed for Kight in Hollister was disconnected.