MONROE - Green County Humane Society now has ownership of 50 dogs, 47 of which are Great Danes, that were seized from a home on May 25. In that seizure, 46 dogs were taken, and while in custody 17 puppies were born.
The four defendants, Kathy Williams, 54; Donovan Williams, 45; Allyson Williams, 24; and Melissa Harrel, 57, all of Brodhead, were ordered to pay a $10,329 cash bond, and then petition the court to receive their animals back after the payment by July 5.
"The Williams did not post bond on their animals by the deadline," Green County assistant corporation counsel Jane Landretti said Thursday. "Ownership of those animals has now transferred to the Green County Humane Society."
Landretti said in a previous interview that Harrel has posted $2,156 toward the bond for some of her dogs, and surrendered her remaining dogs to Green County. But to receive the dogs she paid bond for, Harrel will have to petition the court, Landretti said.
GCHS officials said the dogs won't be immediately available for adoption.
"It will take the community to find these dogs the homes they deserve," said Rachel Schardt, GCHS spokesperson. "We hope that everyone understands that these dogs will not be up for adoption immediately, as our policy is to spay or neuter all animals prior to adoption, and this will take some time."
Schardt said GCHS will be discussing the adoption process for the seized dogs more next week.
"As this is a special situation and all of the dogs are being cared for offsite, our board of directors will be meeting next week to discuss the adoption process," Schardt said, adding that there will be more information to come.
Schardt cited an ongoing "criminal case," for declining to release additional details about the dogs.
The cost per day to care for dogs is more than $600, Schardt said, and expenses have reached more $17,000 for various supplies, additional staffing, veterinary care, vaccinations and food. Schardt said that those costs will only increase because spaying or neutering large dogs is expensive.
Schardt urged those interested in adopting a Great Dane to familiarize themselves with the large breed.
"Despite their size, Great Danes can be very fragile and are prone to many health problems," Schardt said. "They are also very expensive to feed and care for."
Green County District Attorney Gary Luhman said that no criminal charges have been filed yet, but that the four defendants will appear in court for their initial appearances for animal neglect at 1:15 p.m. Monday, July 11.
For more information or to donate to GCHS, visit www.greencountyhumane.org.