Cobb County

Hundreds of animals rescued thanks to new Cobb County Animal Services investigators

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Cobb County Animal Services gave Channel 2 Action News Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell an exclusive look at how a new investigative unit has been cracking down on animal cruelty.

The Cobb County Animal Services facility is filled with numerous services and programs to give animals the care they need, but the best part of what they do, can be found in the animals they save.

When Mini arrived to the facility in January, her survival was uncertain. Mini could hardly walk. On a condition scale from one to nine, Mini was a one, which is the worst. Mini is doing much better now.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

“You can’t see the ribs anymore, so she’s getting muscle and fat on the ribs,” said Steve Hammond, Director of Cobb County Animal Services

A couple of months ago Mini was near death.

“She was basically skin and bones, you could count the bones in her body,” said Hammond.

Mini’s owners are accused of starving her. They are now charged with aggravated animal cruelty.

According to investigators, one of the owners dropped Mini off to Cobb County Animal Services pretending to be a good Samaritan that found Mini in a horrible situation, but police were able to figure out what happened during an investigation.

“We’ve prosecuted more than 100 cases. We’ve saved countless others during that time,” said Hammond.

TRENDING STORIES:

Hammond and his team have been able to solve more animal cruelty cases over the past seven years because of a partnership with the Cobb County Police Department.

“We came in and we created the animal cruelty investigation unit,” said Hammond.

A detective from the Cobb County Police Department dedicates his time to investigating animal cruelty cases.

“It’s hard, these cases are very difficult. It takes special people to do this, and that’s what these people are. They are special,” said Hammond.

They say the most rewarding part of what’s been a very difficult job is seeing the countless success stories, like Mini’s.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:

Michele Newell

Michele Newell, WSB-TV

Michele Newell has been part of the WSB-TV family since November 2021. Before moving to Atlanta, Michele worked at TV news stations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Columbus, Ohio and Steubenville, Ohio.