A second individual has been taken into custody and formally charged in relation to an animal hoarding situation. This incident has led to the removal of a staggering count of 101 cats and 3 dogs from a residence LaFayette.
The accused, a 76-year-old resident named Dee Darren Decker, now faces a serious allegation of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, stemming from a shocking discovery at his residence on South Dick Creek Road. Authorities encountered a deceased cat within his premises. In response to the gravity of the situation, a Magistrate Court judge promptly set Mr. Decker’s bond at $5,000.
Adding to the complexity of the case, Mr. Decker’s 70-year-old wife, Kathryn Decker, has also been implicated and faces charges of Aggravated Animal Cruelty and Willful Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer.
Animal welfare officers, in conjunction with a vigilant Walker County Sheriff’s deputy, conducted an inspection that uncovered more under the surface. Chained dogs, animal waste strewn within the couple’s primary dwelling, and a shocking multitude of cats crammed into crates, including the deceased feline, were discovered during a welfare check on the property.
Law enforcement authorities have asserted that Mr. Decker not only funded the animals’ sustenance but also exhibited a blatant disregard for the living conditions within which both the animals and the couple resided.
The disheartening saga has resulted in the relocation of all rescued animals to the protective confines of the Walker County Animal Shelter. Additionally, a temporary shelter site has been set up to provide immediate care and refuge as the legal proceedings unfold.
The case remains an ongoing investigation.
