60 dogs, 53 lizards, rabbit, piranha seized from suspected puppy mill

Two people have been arrested and charged with cruelty to animals.

Sixty dogs, 53 lizards, a rabbit and a piranha were seized Monday from a suspected puppy mill in Fulton County, police said.

Police rescued the animals about 12:30 p.m. in a warehouse zoned for commercial space after getting a tip and securing a search warrant to enter the building in the 4400 block of Commerce Circle,  Fulton police Cpl. Maureen Smith confirmed.

Inside, authorities found some dogs with eye and skin infections.

“It was egregious seeing all those animals living in those inhumane conditions,” Fulton police Detective Jubal Rogers told Channel 2 Action News.

Sixty dogs, some with eye and skin infections, were seized from a suspected puppy mill in Fulton County. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)

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There were antibiotics and syringes in the facility, which police said was used as an unauthorized veterinarian office. And there was evidence of other criminal activity, but officers would not go into detail.

The animals were taken to the Fulton animal shelter for evaluation, Smith said.

The owner of the dogs and an associate were arrested. According to police, Marcellus Alston and Monic Harrish face 37 counts of cruelty to animals.

Marcellus Alston (left), Monic Harrish (Credit: Fulton County Sheriff’s Office)

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No other details were released.

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