By RAY LIGHTNER
Journal Staff Writer
John Ziegler Hinds IV, 34, of Bonaire, was arrested and charged Thursday on numerous animal cruelty charges.
The charges stem from an Aug. 9 raid of 114 Pleasant Hill Court, where Animal Control officers found 99 cats, including 51 dead in a freezer, one dead on the living room floor and 47 others so sick they had to be euthanized, according to Interim Animal Control Capt. Brenda Parks-Mathern.
Hinds was charged with city ordinance violations including 52 counts of cruelty to animals for the dead cats, 47 counts of animal care for the live ones, 40 counts of rabies inoculation and one count of over the limit of cats. All charges are misdemeanors.
Animal Control Officers responded to 114 Pleasant Hill Court in reference to a complaint of a foul odor and multiple felines. Officers attempted to make contact with the residents at the home with negative results.
Officers in turn executed a search warrant at the residence on Aug. 9, at approximately 3:50 p.m. with the assistance of the Warner Robins Fire Department. Officers seized numerous live and dead felines from the house and garage.
The interior of the house and garage were covered in feces, Parks-Mathern said.
The house has been condemned until further notice, “until somebody cleans it up,” said Animal Control Officer Greg Langston. “It is just filthy.”
Upon further investigation, contact was made with Hinds, the previous resident, who was arrested Thursday, processed at the Warner Robins Police Department and released on $4,000 bond, Parks-Mathern said,
Langston said Hinds owns the home and provided a key to let officers in on Aug. 9. “He told he lives there off and on,” Langston said.
When asked about additional charges, Parks-Mathern said, the investigation is still continuing. Hinds’ ex-wife was also a resident of the home, she said.
Anyone with information the cases is asked to contact to Animal Control officers Jesssica McAbee or Greg Langston at 929-7280.
