Shocking Animal Cruelty Case: Woman Living With Dead Cats In Home
October 30, 2009
A shocking case of animal cruelty and hoarding has been uncovered by authorities — a case where a woman was keeping multiple cats, some of them dead and decomposing, inside her filthy home.
The Humane Society of Escambia County (Ala.) uncovered the unsettling situation in Atmore after receiving several complaints.
“We attempted contact several times with no success until two days ago when the owner did talk with the cruelty investigator,” said Renee Jones, humane society director. “She told me that she had two dead cats that she had been unable to bury and so we offered to help her and we actually went into the backyard and dug two small holes for her. She refused to bring the bodies out or to let us go in to get them.”
That prompted the human society to obtain a search and seizure warrant Thursday morning and execute it at the home, which is located within the Atmore city limits.
Seven cats were seized alive and four dead cats were removed from the home in various stages of decomposition. A Scottish terrier and a cockatiel were also seized.
“The owner of the residence did know that two of the cats were deceased and she had kept them in garbage bags in her utility room for weeks being unable to bring herself to bury them. The owner stated that she did not know that the other two cats were dead although one of them was lying right out in the open. The other had died under a sofa weeks ago,” Jones said.
The living cats were dehydrated, emaciated and infested with fleas and the dog was heavily matted, according to authorities. The animals will receive a more thorough examination from a veterinarian.
“The house was full of feces and urine and the smell was absolutely overwhelming. Humane Enforcement Officers Wes Burkley and Bryan Pugh were covered in fleas and had great difficulty breathing the ammonia laden air throughout the ordeal of locating the cats and capturing them for transport,” according to Jones.
Jones added that there were no children living in the home.
Animal cruelty charges are expected to filed against the woman sometime Friday. The Humane Society of Escambia County (Ala.) is not releasing the woman’s identity at this time as they attempt to seek help for her.
WARNING: Many readers will find the following photos disturbing. For photos from the home submitted by the Humane Society of Escambia County (Ala.), click here.
Pictured top: In a disturbing case of animal cruelty, the decomposing body of a cat was found under this couch inside an Atmore home. Pictured inset: One of the cats rescued from the home by The Humane Society of Escambia County (Ala.). Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lady Chiefs Fall To Baker; Still Headed To Quarterfinals
October 30, 2009
The Northview Lady Chiefs lost to the Baker Gators in the District 1-1A volleyball tournament finals Thursday night in Bratt, but the Lady Chiefs will have one more shot at advancing in the state tournament.
Northview fell to Baker 21-25, 15-25, 18-25. Thursday night’s win gave the Baker Gators their seventh straight district volleyball title.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, click here.
“They did play hard, but the intensity we needed just wasn’t there,” Head Coach Betty Heaton said. This was only the third time in Northview’s history that the team will advance beyond the district. As district runner-ups, the Chiefs will play a quarterfinal game next week on the road against Blountstown at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
“I was hoping we would come out this number one,” Heaton said. “But we do get another chance in the quarter finals. We could progress from there; nothing says the state champ can’t be a second seed in the quarter finals.”
Northview Vs Baker (District Championship Game ) – Varsity
21-25 15-25 18-25
** Baker Winning**
Shawna Montgomery 11 M Kills-3, Digs-3 Aces–1
Caitlin Hall 12 Setter Assists-10, Digs-2, Kills-2,
Angela Rodriguez 12 LS Kills-5, Digs – 5, Aces-3
Raylin Spence 10 LS Kills-1, Aces-1, Digs-4
Record – Overall – 9 -18; District 5 -5
Pictured: Action from the District 1-1A volleyball championship game between Northview and Baker Thursday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Flomaton Fall Festival
October 30, 2009
From Spiderman to princesses to Michael Jackson and more, characters of all sorts roamed the streets of downtown Flomaton Thursday night during the town’s annual Fall Festival.
NorthEscambia.com was there; click here to see our complete photo gallery.
Pictured top: Hundreds packed the streets of Flomaton Thursday night for a Fall Festival. Pictured inset: Even the King of Pop took part in the festivities. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
All You Need To Know: Silver Wings To Parachute Into Tonight’s NHS Game
October 30, 2009
Tonight will be a Senior Night football game like no other at Northview High School, and we have all of the information you need to know.
The United States Army’s parachute demonstration team, the Silver Wings, from Fort Benning, Georgia are scheduled to jump from a fixed wing aircraft at least 5,000 feet over the Northview High School stadium before the start of the game. The demonstration team plans to bring down with them a United States flag, a POW/MIA flag, and Army flag and the official game ball. One jumper will land on the 50-yard line to deliver the game ball for the game against Sneads High School.
Arrive early…gates for the event will open at 5:00, and the first approximately 1,000 people will receive free American flags on a first come basis. Senior night activities will begin at 5:30 with the presentation of the seniors from the band, color guard, majorettes, NJROTC, cheerleaders and football players.
At about 6:10 p.m., special guests will be recognized, including Brigadier General Mike Ferguson, retired, Northwest Florida Aide to the Secretary of the Army; Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Boyd, Montgomery Recruiting Battalion Commander; Major Christopher Dawson, Mobile Recruiting Company Commander; and Superintendent of Schools Malcolm Thomas.
A short time later, the Silver Wings will jump. The demonstration team plans to bring down with them a United States flag, a POW/MIA flag, and Army flag and the official game ball. One jumper will land on the 50-yard line to deliver the game ball for the game against Sneads High School.
Following the jump, the Silver Wings will remain at the game for about one and a half hours to meet the public, take photographs and sign autographs.
The U.S. Army will be giving away an Ipod during halftime. Registrations will be accepted until the end of the first quarter. Also during halftime, Principal Gayle Weaver will be making a special presentation.
Adult and student tickets are $6 each and $1 each for elementary students at the gate. Pre-sale tickets will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday in the front office. Pre-sale prices are $5 for adults, $4 for students and $1 elementary. All parking will be free.
And don’t forget — NorthEscambia.com will have complete coverage with lots of photos Saturday morning.
Photos: Bratt Elementary Third Graders ‘Bebop With Aesop’
October 30, 2009
Third graders at Bratt Elementary learned some important lessons Thursday morning as they presented the play “Bebop With Aesop”.
Scenes from classic fairy tales came to life as students learned lessons like “look before you leap”, “don’t count your chickens”, and “honesty is the best policy”.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the play, click here.
Pictured top: Cameron Long (middle) as Aesop in Bebop with Aesop Thursday morning at Bratt Elementary. Pictured inset: The Hare of Tortoise and the Hare fame portrayed by Shelby Bashore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Arrested In Escambia Bar Murder, Robbery Case
October 30, 2009
Two people have been arrested in connection with an October 23 robbery and murder at a Pensacola bar.
Brandon Donnell Davis, 20, of Pensacola, turned himself in to authorities Thursday afternoon. He was named a person of interest in the case earlier this week. Also charged in the case is David Henry Gilchrist, Jr., 20, of Pensacola. He was arrested at his Mayfair area home just before 7 p.m. Thursday. Both suspects were charged with felony murder and robbery. They are being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
At about 1:30 Friday morning October 23, two black males entered the Oakcrest Bar on Fairfield Drive in Pensacola. “Once inside, both subjects displayed weapons, during the course of the robbery one of the customers was fatally shot,” Sgt. Ted Roy, public information officer for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, said.
The victim was identified as Jared Ortiz, 24, of Pensacola. An undisclosed amount of money was taken during the robbery.
Photos: Century Library Does Halloween In Big Style
October 30, 2009
It was a spooktacular good time for dozens of area children Thursday afternoon at the Century Branch Library.
During the library’s fourth annual Halloween program, children in a variety of costumes enjoyed lots of treats and cookie decoration.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Flomaton Tonight: Fall Festival And Homecoming Pep Rally
October 29, 2009
It will be a big night in Flomaton tonight, as the town holds its annual Fall Festival and a Homecoming pep rally.
The Harvest Festival will begin at 5:30 in the Coleman’s Drugs’ parking lot. A Flomaton Hurricane pep rally with the football team, band and cheerleaders will also be held downtown.
A homecoming parade for the ‘Canes will take place Friday afternoon at 2:00.
Deputies Use Force To Arrest Robbery Suspect After He Rolls Toward Assault Rifle
October 29, 2009
Deputies had to use force to take a 17-year old juvenile into custody last night for the robbery of Pensacola Boulevard Waffle House.
At about 10:30, a black male later identified as Denzel James Reeves Wright, 17, entered the Waffle House on Pensacola Boulevard just north of I-10 armed with an assault rifle and demanded and received cash from the register. He then fled the store on foot.
Deputies and a K-9 unit tracked Wright down Broad Street where the K-9 alerted on some bushes where a black male and an assault rifle could be seen.
“The suspect initially refused commands to come out of the bushes and relinquish the weapon. Deputies approached and the suspect placed the weapon on the ground next to him. As Deputies approached the suspect to handcuff him the suspect rolled toward the assault rifle as if to re-arm himself,” according to Sgt. Ted Roy, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. “The suspect was struck in the face by deputies and then handcuffed without further incident.”
Wright will be charged with robbery with a firearm, use of a firearm during the commission of a felony and resisting arrest with violence, Roy said. He is being held without bond as a juvenile.
Investigators are reviewing videotape for previous robberies, including the Wednesday robbery of a nearby Waffle House and a Tom Thumb on Pine Forest Road, to determine if Wright might be involved in those crime, Roy said.
Paul Allen Thomas Sr.
October 29, 2009
Paul Allen Thomas Sr., a heavy equipment operator in the construction industry, died Tuesday in Pensacola. He was 51.
Thomas, a native of Atmore, was a resident of Walnut Hill, Fla. He was a member of the Church of the Living God.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Gail Thomas; one daughter, Jessica Nicole Thomas; one son, Paul Allen Thomas Jr.; and one brother, Roy Thomas, all of Walnut Hill; five sisters, Sarah Swartz of San Antonio, Betty Morris of Canoe, Corrine Boggs of Walnut Hill, Arena Dawson of Atmore and Molly Mae Glover of Troy, Ala.; and two grandchildren.
A graveside service was scheduled for Thursday at 11:15 a.m. in Pine Barren Cemetery, with visitation one hour prior to the service at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore.