Melissa “Missy” Jo Rucker, 49, of Nitro, was charged with 47 counts of animal cruelty Friday night, according to a criminal complaint filed in Putnam County Magistrate Court.
According to the complaint, during the search, the only employee working at the time told officers where the kennels were located but said she was not permitted to see them.
There were 28 kennels and most of them had four dogs in them, according to the complaint. Only five of the 28 kennels had food for the dogs, and that food had mold growing on it. The complaint said the water that was available for the dogs was dirty and contained fecal matter.
According to investigating officers, the kennels contained a male and female dog and the kennels with four dogs contained one male and three females. There was also a dry-erase board on the wall with a breeding schedule for the dogs.
The complaint said several of the dogs were in poor health. Some were missing teeth, which made it difficult for them to eat. Several of the dogs were missing hair and had inflammation of the skin.
Several of the dogs also had feces dried in their fur and were emaciated, according to the complaint.
When officers searched for medication or medical records they found no records and just nine capsules used for skin conditions.
Due to the lack of medical care, nutritious food and fresh water that was being provided, the complaint said officers seized 58 dogs and six puppies from the Putnam County location.
When questioned, the complaint said Rucker told police that she used a veterinarian in Hurricane. However, that vet told police Rucker had only taken nine dogs into his office in April to have blood drawn for Brucellosis testing.
Rucker is being held in the South Central Regional Jail on $25,000 bond.
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(ABC6 - May 19, 2017)
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