Two Dogs Rescued From Neglect in Gwinnett

BUFORD, GA — Two dogs in Gwinnett County are now getting affection and proper medical care after being seized in a neglect case.

On January 3, the Gwinnett County Animal Shelter received a complaint about a black dog running loose for several days in Buford.

The caller said the animal appeared to have an injured right hip and that he thought the dog had lived at a residence on Railroad Avenue.

An animal control officer was dispatched and quickly secured the dog. He then visited the home listed in the complaint, where he found another dog tethered to a tree.

In a report, the officer wrote that the tether was wrapped around the tree and the dog only had about three feet of cable.

"The canine had no food or water and only had a plastic dog crate for a dog house," the report reads. "The crate was full of water and mud. The cable would not allow [the] canine to reach the crate or any food or water."

No one was home, but the officer impounded the animals anyway. Both dogs were taken to a local vet, then the Gwinnett County Animal Shelter.

On Sunday, the officer revisited the home and gave their owner, Elaina Green, citations for two counts of neglect, no restraint and a tether violation.

Authorities say the dogs appear to be thriving at the shelter, where they are happy and gaining weight.

The two male dogs, a black lab and a pit bull, are best of friends and stay side-by-side when they play outside.

Both are heartworm positive and will only be available to a rescue group, not direct adoption through the animal shelter, Gwinnett County Police spokeswoman Cpl. Michele Pihera said.

"The staff assigned to Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement Unit is committed to helping animals in neglect and abuse cases. Their care continues until all of them are safely rehomed," Pihera said. "It’s heartwarming to see the progress these boys have made in such a short period of time."

To report any animal abuse case, please call the GCPD 911 Center non-emergency line at 770 513-5700. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit the CrimeStoppers website.

Photos courtesy Gwinnett County Police Department