Couple Charged With 129 Counts of Animal Cruelty

CANTON, GA -- The homeowners involved in a large-scale animal hoarding case have been charged in connection to the incident.

Patrick and Megan Kuykendall were each charged by the Cherokee County Marshal's Office with 129 counts of cruelty to animals and one count of cruelty to children in the second degree, the agency said Monday.

The arrest follows officers on Saturday, July 16 removing 129 cats from the home situated in the 4300 block of East Cherokee Drive in unincorporated Canton.

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Cruelty to animals is a misdemeanor while cruelty to children is classified as a felony, the marshal's office added.

Specifically, the cruelty to animals charges stem from the number of felines inside the home that were in "poor condition," the marshal's office notes. The cruelty to children charge results from a juvenile living amid those conditions inside the home.

Division of Family and Children Services officials removed the child from the home, the marshal's office added.

The Kuykendalls are being held at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center, and their bond is set at $151,200.

Return to Patch for updates.

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Images via Cherokee County Marshal's Office