CORBIN — By Adam S. Sulfridge / Staff Writer

Williamsburg police and fire departments, along with Kentucky Emergency Management and Whitley County Animal Control, removed from a Williamsburg home Thursday morning several starving dogs, neglected cats, and a slew of angry roosters, chickens, and ducks.

Public Affairs Officer Shawn Jackson explained, “We had been contacted numerous times about this particular residence. There’s a city ordinance against livestock within city limits, but this goes beyond that…not only did they have chickens, roosters, and ducks, but they were also failing to take care of the animals. It fell right in line with animal cruelty.”

At 220 Rains Street, Chief Wayne Bird and his officers found a small house tucked behind well-established brush and briars. Hay was scattered outside the home, and the back yard was littered with trash, including old children’s playhouses and tents. Crossing the yard was only possible through a few trails cut between piles of trash and makeshift chicken coops.

According to one neighbor, the person who had been residing at the residence had not been seen in over a month. Police believe, however, that whoever owned the animals visited occasionally, at least, or else the animals would likely be dead. Based on the condition of the animals, Jackson said he believes it’s been “awhile” since the dogs were fed.

“These were animals that had interacted with each other, but they had been neglected so much that one of the dogs killed a chicken and was eating it,” Jackson said, referencing a black mixed-breed dog found in a feces filled cage. He added, “I guess it’s just the instinct of a starving dog doing the best it could to survive.” A chicken carcass was laying inside the dog’s house, and a bucket of “black, stagnant water” was found next to it. No food was found inside the dog’s cage.

Two other dogs were removed from a separate cage on the opposite side of the yard.

Running loose around the home were three ducks. Jackson described the ordeal, saying, “Officer Elijah Hunter and I were able to apprehend one of the three ducks initially, and another duck became aggressive. It was losing its companion and didn’t want to lose it.” The aggressive duck was captured around 20 minutes later, at which time Jackson jokingly told Whitley dispatchers that the duck had been arrested.

“Myself and Officer Hunter were responsible for catching some of the chicks, ducks, and gamecocks...we’ve both spent a little time on the farm, and this was one of the more unusual circumstances we had to deal with,” Jackson said.

After the ducks and dogs were secured, officers began chasing chickens and roosters around the residence and then turned their attention to cats inside the home.

Because nobody was home, Chief Bird forced the front door open but exited the home quicker than it took to enter it. After only a few seconds inside the residence, Bird decided it was unsafe for anyone to enter the home due to odors from cat urine and feces.

Jackson, who entered the home with Det. Bobby Freeman, said, “I had to wear a respirator….Even with the respirator on, the smell and odor was very strong, there was feces all over the house and old rotted food.” He said he believes the conditions inside the home were a danger to the animals and any human who entered it.

“I have absolutely never seen anything like this before, especially inside the residence. In my opinion, it was not suitable to be lived in by any species.”

According to Jackson, Chief Bird is conducting an investigation which may be turned over to a Whitley County Grand Jury to seek an indictment. This city can also require the owner to clean the property and if the owner fails to do so, the city can file suit and seize the property, he also noted. 

As for the animals, Jackson said they will be quarantined for a five day period at the Knox-Whitley Animal Shelter. “We have had people step up and say that if the owners don’t come forward, they’ll take them,” he added.