DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Animal welfare advocates are calling for changes in DeKalb County following reports that abused animals are being returned to their owners.
Channel 2’s Michael Doudna spoke with volunteers at the Lifeline Animal Shelter in DeKalb County and met Mahla, who has spent her life shuttled between shelters and an abusive home.
In 2024, Mahla and another dog were brought in after being found stuck in a crate left outside with a large mass on her chest. Authorities charged the owner with neglect, but the charge was dropped.
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By law, she was returned to the owner. In January, animal control found Mahla and her three new puppies living in deplorable conditions.
“She’s emaciated, her skin is in terrible shape, and her puppies also have these terrible skin conditions. Their eyes are swollen shut,” volunteer Carlos Diaz said. “She’s a very sweet dog, especially when you consider what she’s been through.”
Advocates say this could have been prevented if the system had worked the first time.
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They want the county to do a better job of following through with charges to better protect animals that can’t protect themselves.
“It stops with them, the people who are overseeing this, and, you know, it comes down to them really just making a decision that they’re not going to look away,” Diaz said.
In trying to find out why the charges were dropped, Lifeline pointed Doudna to the District Attorney’s Office, who pointed him to the Solicitor General’s Office.
Channel 2 Action News reached out to the Solicitor’s General’s Office for comment on this story.
The office sent us this statement on Monday:
“The DeKalb County Solicitor-General’s Office takes all allegations of animal cruelty seriously and works closely with law enforcement and animal control to review each case thoroughly.
“Regarding the March 3, 2024, incident referenced in the report, prosecutors and investigators determined there was insufficient evidence to proceed with criminal charges beyond a reasonable doubt. While charges were initially filed, they were later dismissed based on the evidence available. Under Georgia law, when a case is dismissed, animals must be returned to their owner. That critical legal context was not reflected in the broadcast. It is also important to clarify that Cost of Care petitions are not filed by the DeKalb County Solicitor-General’s Office.
“With respect to the more recent January 5, 2026, incident at the same property, the Animal Control report indicates that the individual caring for the dogs contacted Animal Control seeking assistance because the dogs had mange, were not improving, and she lacked the financial resources to take them to a veterinarian. That matter remains under review.
“We share the community’s concern for animal welfare and remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners to hold individuals accountable when the evidence supports prosecution. However, it is misleading to suggest that outcomes in these cases reflect a lack of concern or effort by the Solicitor-General’s Office.
“We welcome continued collaboration with community partners and media outlets to ensure accurate public understanding of how these cases are handled within the bounds of the law.”
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