Chad MacDonald

Name of Accused:
MACDONALD, CHAD

Date of Arrest:
07/09/2024


Charges For Arrest:
AGGRAVATED CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On 7-9-2024
at 1311hrs I received a call from Deputy 975 Jacob Richards about a concern of welfare that he was out on at [100 BLOCK] Adalee Rd. Carrollton GA. 30117
Deputy Richards explained to me that he could see in to a window at the rear of the house and could see animals in very bad condition’s. He then asked that animal control get involved.
Once I arrived on scene I made with Brandy Chandler, She stated that she had just got back from the hospital and that her fiancé had broken ribs and that they had lost their jobs. I then explained that I was there for a concern of welfare and explained to her that the animals were still in poor condition but that I was informed that the animals were living in unacceptable conditions and that I needed to see the remaining animals inside and the condition that they were living in. Brandy then stated that she would bring the animals out but that I could not come in.
After seeing the first couple of dogs come out of the house and seeing that they were still in unacceptable condition’s with poor body condition scores ranging from 1-3 on a scale from 1-9 with 5 being Ideal, I then asked why they hadn’t gotten vet care for the animals and she stated that they had not had time to take them, I then decided that due to my evidence that I had up to this point, I would need to see all the animals and needed to observe the condition the animals were living in daily. I then asked her to give me a minute, that I needed to make a phone call and at that time I called Sgt. Hutch 9022 to let him know that I was about to contain the scene and that I would need backup so I could go and get a warrant.
I then asked again if I could enter and Brandy said “No” so I explained to her that I would need to lock the area down and that she would need to stay outside to preserve evidence inside the house, I then asked if anyone else was inside, Brandy said that her fiancé was in the bed and that she would ask if he could step outside, she then came back out after her attempt and explained that he was refusing. Shortly after I noticed he begin moving around the house through the window to the left of the porch, He then came outside and started yelling for us to get off the property and that we needed a warrant, so I explained I was about to leave and get the warrant as soon as backup arrived and at this time 9029 Deputy Ivey arrived with 975 Deputy Richards who contained the scene while I went to get the warrant.
After getting my warrant signed, I went back to the property and explained what the warrant was for and asked if they wanted the copy. Brandy refused it so I told her I would lay it on the table on the porch and that I was entering the property to exam the conditions reported to me. Before entering the residence I noticed the scent of animal feces before entering the door, once inside I begin to take photos and noticed what looked like animal feces in the living room in several areas as I went room to room I noticed it through out the house in every room I went to. Looking at the main area where I was told the 5 puppies were being kept, there was no clean water or food in the pen that I was told they were keeping them in and it looked as if they had not cleaned it in several days or longer. I also noticed maggots on the counter where a food box was of the kitchen where free roaming cats could access along with an over flowing litter box beside the kitchen area.
After getting my photos, I was unable to locate any food belonging to cats or dogs, only empty bags, nor was I able to locate fresh water for the animals inside the house. I concluded that this was a case of Aggravated Animal Cruelty 16-12-4(d)5 due to the conditions that the animals were being forced to live in along with failing to provide them with vet care even after Animal Control had been out at the address before and not only instructed the owners on how to fix the issues but also tried to provide free food for the animals that they never came and received. Both residents were placed under arrest for 11 counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty for the 5 Adult dogs 5 Puppies and 1 Cat that Animal Control secured. Both suspects were brought to the Carroll County Jail while the animals were brought to Carroll County Animal Shelter to be held as evidence.
[End of Narrative]