Middle Georgia Twisters

Strong storms swept through several Middle Georgia counties on Wednesday night causing widespread damage from high winds and possible tornadoes.
All across Middle Georgia there were reports of damage. Jasper, Putnam and Hancock County were the hardest hit. Eighty year-old Johnny Frank Baker of Hancock County died when his mobile home was destroyed. His daughter and grandchildren were injured. Lynda Reynolds lives in Hancock County and describes the damage.

"Just debris everywhere. There was a log home that was completely lifted off of the foundation and set back down with trees on top of it. Hickory Grove Church was completely destroyed."

The storm also caused a suspected tornado in Eatonton. Putnam County Sheriff Howards Sills says it completely destroyed a bar called, "Robert Parham's Place," with four people inside.

"Mr. Parham himself was in there. He got down beneath the bar and everything else is gone, but I guess that protected him. The other two people were missing for a short period of time but we found them pretty quick."

The line of storms also destroyed several buildings in Jasper County.

Putnam County dogs up for adoption today

70 dogs rescued from a Putnam County puppy mill will be put up for adoption today in Atlanta. The expectation of Atlanta Humane Society officials is a much smoother adoption process than an earlier one in June. Last month, hundreds of people showed-up to adopt another group of rescued puppies, only for the scene to become chaotic. This time, Humane Society officials have pre-screened potential new dog owners. The dogs available today include poodles, Yorkies, Chihuahuas, and pugs.

Putnam County puppy mill raided

More than 180 dogs have been rescued from a Putnam County puppy mill. The dogs included Pugs, Poodles, Shih Tzu's, Schnauzers, and Maltese. Many of the dogs were sick and some of the puppies still nursing.

Earlier in the week Putnam county Sheriff, Howard Sills received complaints from neighbors about the noise. When police investigated they found dirty cages stacked four high, filled with dogs. Sheriff Sills says they called the State Department of Agriculture for help, and they brought in animal welfare experts.

"The Atlanta Humane Society came down with a huge motor home type vehicle and at least two other trucks and they took fifty to sixty percent of them."

Sills says he expects to file charges against dog dealer Barry Davis within the next ten days. The Atlanta Humane Society says many of the dogs will be put up for adoption on Tuesday.

172 dogs seized in Putnam County

The Putnam County sheriff’s office joined officials with the state agriculture department in the seizure of 172 dogs from an Eatonton dog dealer. County authorities say some of the dogs were found to be in bad condition on the dealer’s premises, with some dogs in cages stacked four high. Authorities say the dealer’s license was not current, and rabies shots for the dogs were not up-to-date. The dealer has not been charged. Some dogs have been taken-in by the Putnam County Animal Control--the rest turned over to animal rescue organizations.