Animal neglect is a crime

Local News

Related Photos

Jeremy Pittari

July 3, 2009

By Jeremy Pittari Picayune Item Fri Jul 03, 2009, 08:43 AM CDT

PICAYUNE — Due to a pet owner’s neglect, a number of dogs have perished in the hot summer sun.

The situation came to the attention of the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department when a citizen called in a complaint concerning decaying and dying animals. The department responded to the call Tuesday evening to find two dead adult dogs and a dead puppy. Three live puppies were described to have been feeding on the carcass of the deceased puppy. An adult pitbull was also found at the scene.

The Sheriff’s Department now has submitted seven affidavits against 33 year-old Alicia M. Goynes, the resident of the home at 8036 U.S. Highway 11 North, said Capt. Kelvin Stanford. Goynes is believed to be out of town, but the department is looking into her whereabouts. Once found she will face the seven charges of animal cruelty.

Thursday morning county crews went out to the home to bury the dead dogs, which were still tied to their leashes in the yard. It appeared as though the animals had been deceased for some time as severe decay had already set in on some of the animals. No one was at the residence at the time, which consisted of a travel trailer parked behind a closed down gas station in McNeil. Water and food bowls near the dogs’ locations appeared to be empty and shade for all of the animals appeared to be limited.

District V Supervisor Sandy Kane Smith said he became aware of the situation Tuesday night and had to acquire a court order from Justice Court Judge Nell Cowart to bring the surviving pitbull to the local animal shelter.

The two puppies also were taken to the Picayune animal shelter but had to be euthanized later due to their poor health and inability to feed on their own, said Picayune Animal Shelter Director Judy Wheaton. The pitbull has five days to be adopted before the shelter will be forced to euthanize it. The shelter has to be careful who is allowed to adopt the dog, she said.

“We wouldn’t want him to get back in that situation,” Wheaton said.

Another alternative would be for a local rescue organization steps in to assist. Wheaton described the pitbull as affectionate and friendly.

Smith said he plans to discuss the problem of animal cruelty with the rest of the supervisors at their next meeting Tuesday. He said there needs to be stricter punishment for such acts.

Currently the charge of animal cruelty in Mississippi is a misdemeanor, Stanford said.

Local SPCA president Maria Diamond said the Picayune animal shelter has a petition being signed to stiffen animal cruelty charges to felonies.

Diamond asks county residents to report incidents of animal cruelty to their local law enforcement agency.

“Nothing can be done if nobody knows about it,” Diamond said.

Diamond said anyone who reports animal cruelty can do so with anonymity.

Animals should be kept inside when possible during the heat of summer. If that is not an option Diamond suggests keeping them in an area with constant shade throughout the day. They require a steady supply of fresh water, which should be secured either by placing a bucket inside an old tire or by putting the bucket in a hole in the ground. Otherwise the animal can unintentionally spill its water.

Pets should also be left at home when going shopping. It only takes a few minutes for a pet to die from heat exhaustion even with the windows of a parked car crackedopen. The back of pickups is not a good place for pets since they get hot, which can damage an animal’s paws, Diamond said.

Text Only

Local News

Bar fight ends in man being run over
A bar fight Friday morning resulted in one man being run over by the other with a pickup truck.
The fight was reported to Picayune Police officers Friday morning at about 1:44 at the American Legion Hall on Union School Road, said Capt. Chad Dorn.

February 4, 2012
Arson suspected at possible murder site
Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department investigators suspect arson was involved in a structure fire that occurred at a home where James Raine was killed last year.
The home at 24 Emma Lane was the scene of what investigators believe was the murder of the 37-year-old Raine in October, 2011.

February 4, 2012 1 Photo
Inmate escapes leaving father’s wake
Johnny Hall Jr., 30, escaped from Mississippi Department of Corrections custody Friday afternoon while attending his father’s wake in Picayune.

February 4, 2012
Inmate escapes from funeral procession
State inmate Johnny Hall, Jr., escaped from two Wilkinson County Correctional Facility officers’ custody today at approximately 12:30 p.m. while being escorted from his father’s wake at the Picayune Funeral Home in Picayune, Miss.

February 3, 2012
REPAIRING GAS LEAK
Contract and city workers were at this gas leak on Beech Street installing a clamp.

February 3, 2012 1 Photo
CAMELLIA SHOW
The Poplarville Garden Club Community Camellia Show is today in the lobby of the Poplarville branch of Hancock Bank.

February 3, 2012 1 Photo
Local gas prices continue a gradual upward trend
From Monday to Thursday, the per gallon price of regular gasoline at RaceTrac jumped six cents, from $3.289 to $3.349. RaceTrac sets the pace in Pearl River County for the lowest posted price, and Wal-Mart and Bill’s Quick Stop at Mississippi Highway 43 and East Canal quickly follow.

February 3, 2012 1 Photo
StennisSphere closing
StennisSphere is closing it’s doors to make way for a new tourist attraction, and to help increase security at John C. Stennis Space Center. According to a press release from Stennis, the tourist attraction officially will close in mid February.

February 3, 2012
ENJOYING THE RAIN
These ducks weren’t phased by Wednesday’s rainy conditions.

February 2, 2012 1 Photo
Picayune featured in “Blondie” comic strip
Occupy Picayune?
All Mr. Dithers wants to see occupied is Dagwood’s desk chair.
That is part of the adventures of Dagwood Bumstead, which includes a mention of the City of Picayune in Friday’s “Blondie” comic strip, which appears in the Picayune Item as a daily feature.
Picayune’s mention in Friday’s strip that also is released in other publications gives Picayune a name recognition boost worldwide, says the artist who draws the feature, Frank Cummings, a former Picayune resident and former employee of the Picayune Item.

February 2, 2012 1 Photo
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Related Photos

Animal neglect is a crime

Site Map

Contact Us