Deputies had responded to earlier complaints before January animal cruelty case, sheriff says
LIVE NOW
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate a deadly animal cruelty case.
The discovery of 53 dogs inside and outside of a Beauregard home has led to hundreds of counts of charges filed and the sheriff’s office clarifying information on social media.
The discovery was made when a Lee County man, Kaleiden Haywood, and his friend arrived at the residence, located in the 8100 block of Lee Road 146, for the residents reporting a water leak. When he began checking the residence, they discovered dozens of dogs dead and others emaciated. Immediately, they called 911.
Deputies and investigators responded to the residence and found 29 deceased dogs that had been placed in plastic bags and thrown in a pile in the back yard of the residence. The deceased animals ranged from puppies to adult dogs, and authorities say that expert analysis indicates the dogs died within the range of the past few months to a year.
Investigators located approximately 24 additional dogs inside the residence that were alive but appeared to be emaciated. Their names and pictures can be found here.
63-year-old Curtis Dewayne Haralson, 54-year-old Patricia Ann Sims, and 27-year-old Tiffany Ann Sims were arrested and charged with a total of 111 offenses so far, including multiple felony aggravated cruelty to animals and misdemeanor failure to bury livestock offenses. All three are being held with bond set at $48,700 each.
Since the investigation, residents and neighbors say they called Lee County Sheriff’s Office several times since 2017 about the potential of animal cruelty going on at the residence.
The sheriff’s office said their deputies had responded to three previous complaints at the residence, in 2017, 2019, and 2021. In all three complaints, responding deputies did not find elements to support criminal charges at those times.
The agency said their personnel all believe in and defend the humane treatment of all animals.
“The Lee County Sheriff’s Office takes all calls about potential animal cruelty very seriously,” the agency said. “Through the years, Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies, when confronted with circumstances where animals are suffering from abuse, have always acted, and continue to take immediate action, to apply the law and protect the animal(s) involved.”
The agency said what they discovered on January 12 to be among the worst treatment of animals that they have seen.
The case is being submitted to the Lee County District Attorney’s Office for Grand Jury presentation, and additional charges may be added as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 334-749-5651 or Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867).
Related stories
CrimeOPD: Police investigating shooting in Opelika; road closed
Crime & SafetyMISSING PERSON: Chambers County Sheriff’s Office searching for 35-year-old woman
Crime & SafetyMuscogee County Sheriff’s Office awarded $118,000 grant for local DUI and aggressive driving enforcement
Crime & SafetyHarris County Sheriff’s Office awarded more than $125,000 grant for DUI enforcement
Crime & SafetyTroup County Sheriff’s Office receives more than $306,000 grant to combat dangerous driving