Lee County Animal Control, operating under the North Mississippi Animal Care & Control Association, is conducting an intensive, multi-day animal welfare operation following a large-scale seizure of more than 200 dogs discovered several weeks ago, Sheriff Jim H. Johnson said in a Facebook post.
The operation involves on-site removal, assessment and documentation of animals; coordination with law enforcement and partner agencies to ensure safe and lawful removal; transportation and temporary placement into approved holding facilities and rescue partners; and veterinary evaluation and care for the animals, Johnson said.
Johnson identified the lead organizations as North MS Animal Care and Control Association and the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society, working with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. PopFix is providing on-site assistance and coordination. Municipal and shelter support includes Itawamba County Animal Shelter with assistance from Mayor Emily Mord Quinn of Fulton and Justine Crane; the City of Okolona with Mayor Sherman Carouthers, the Okolona Mayoral Health Council and Councilwoman Marsha Gates; and the Amory Animal Resource Center.
Rescue partners accepting animals include Chickasaw Mutts Rescue, Lafayette County Animal Shelter, Saving Gods 4 Paws, Guardians of Rescue and Paws of War. Tunica Humane Society is providing dog houses, and community volunteers are assisting under supervision.
The sheriff’s office said the primary goals are animal safety, lawful compliance, proper documentation and placement into appropriate care as efficiently and humanely as possible. This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.
