Three Lauderdale County residents are facing cruelty-to-animals charges after the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office removed nearly 200 dogs from a property where investigators said many of the animals showed signs of neglect.

According to local outlets, the investigation began in March after the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office received repeated reports of possible neglect. On March 30, deputies discovered 191 doodle dogs living in what investigators described as filthy and overcrowded conditions, with many allegedly kept in stacked basement cages and some lacking access to food or water.

Outlets reported that the residence was suspected of being an alleged puppy mill dating back to 2023.

After the dogs were removed, investigators collected veterinary records and reviewed them for potential cruelty-to-animals charges. During the investigation, the dogs were relinquished to Florence/Lauderdale Animal Services.

Hunter Hancock, Karolyn Richardson, and John Richardson were each charged with four counts of cruelty to animals after investigators said the Lauderdale County District Attorney determined four dogs met the legal criteria for the charges.

Following the arrests of Hancock and the Richardsons, each was released on a $2,000 bond. Court dates were not immediately available.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].