Son Arrested For Cruelty to Mother; Surrendered Dogs up For Adoption

DACULA, GA — A Dacula man is under arrest and more than two dozen dogs are up for adoption after his elderly mother was found living in filthy conditions with the animals.

At about 10 a.m. on Monday, Gwinnett County Police officers were dispatched to a report of an elderly woman wandering around Paiute Court in Dacula.

The caller told 911 that the woman lived "in deplorable conditions" and had a house full of dogs, which were constantly getting out of the house and running up and down the street.

When officers arrived, they spoke with the 76-year-old woman. They learned she was living in the home with her adult son, John Soper, 52.

The home was described as being littered in filth, feces, urine and other trash.

Police say the woman often was left to fend for herself while her son left her unattended to go to work.

A few neighbors had tried to help clean the home but had to leave after a few minutes due to the smell and mess, police said.

Officers contacted the county's Special Victims Unit and got a search warrant for the home. Once inside, they found about 25 beagle mix dogs, which were removed by animal control officers.

The woman was treated by Gwinnett County firefighters and transported to Gwinnett Medical Center. She was later taken to a personal care home in Barrow County, and Adult Protective Services is working to find her a permanent home.

Soper was charged with cruelty to a person who is 65 years or older. He has since bonded out of jail, but additional charges may be filed, police say.

Meanwhile, the roughly 25 dogs that were taken from the home are available for adoption.

The dogs were taken to Gwinnett Animal Shelter and all were found to be in good health.

Ranging in ages from 7 weeks to 3 years, the dogs are now available to the public. Each appear to have a good temperament, authorities say.

The adoption fee is $30 per animal. That includes a rabies vaccine, distemper/parvo and kennel cough vaccinations, a microchip and spaying or neutering.

The fee will be reduced to $20 if the new owner brings in five canned goods to help support local food banks.

They will become available to local rescue groups on Friday.

The shelter is located at 884 Winder Hwy. in Lawrenceville. It is open Monday through Saturday, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Photos courtesy Gwinnett County Police Department