State-Journal.com - Malnourished dogs rescued during raid

Photo By Hilly SchifferA pit bull barks stands near his doghouse at the home on 3387 St. Johns Road.

A Franklin County couple have been charged with animal cruelty after officials removed 11 pit bulls from their property - leaving nearly 50 dogs behind.

Sandra Coy, 52, and William S. Coy, 44, both of 3387 St. Johns Road, were served Sunday with multiple misdemeanor cruelty to animals charges after Franklin County Sheriff's deputies and animal control officers raided their property Dec. 14.

According to Sheriff Steve Clark, the Coys had more than 60 dogs at their property when officers received complaints that barking dogs were chained in the Coys' yard.

Clark said 11 malnourished animals, two of which ultimately died from their treatment, were taken from the Coys' property in December.

Nearly 50 animals remained at the property, Clark said.

The Coys have an unlisted telephone number and could not be reached for comment.

No one answered the door at their St. Johns Road residence Thursday, though dogs could be heard barking inside and they were pawing at a window partially obscured by a Christmas tree.

A barking German Shepherd was chained to an outbuilding on a sliding lead that crossed a frozen creek.

Numerous other dogs, pit bulls included, were chained to buildings and near dog kennels in sub-freezing temperatures.

Court documents said county animal control officer Kevin Caudle described the dogs as "malnourished" and "in poor condition."

An animal control official declined to comment on the investigation into the Coy's treatment of their animals.

A 2007 article attributed to Hardin County's News-Enterprise posted on the Web site www.pet-abuse.com says the Coys have walked this road before.

The article says they agreed in August 2007 to leave Larue County and not return with animals for two years after they were charged there with 12 counts of animal cruelty.

LaRue County officials confiscated 37 pit bulls, a German Shepherd and eight puppies from their property, the article says.

A dog was found dead on its chain when officers arrived at their property.

The article says 11 of their dogs died after they were housed in a Taylor County animal shelter, either from attack from other dogs or disease.

The Coys received six months jail time in the matter, which was probated for two years, the article said.

According to meeting minutes posted on city Web sites, Sandra Coy addressed city council members in Ludlow, Taylor Mill and Crestview Hills in 2005 concerning dog breed bans.

She decried breed-specific bans and vicious dog legislation at local levels, the Taylor Mill minutes said.

Coy was identified as chairperson of Responsible Dog Owners of Eastern States at the Crestview Hills meeting.

Coy and her husband are set to appear in Franklin County District Court Feb. 24.

39.	Posted by Seneca February 23, 2009
	"According to meeting minutes posted on city Web sites, Sandra Coy addressed city council members in Ludlow, Taylor Mill and Crestview Hills in 2005 concerning dog breed bans. She decried breed-specific bans and vicious dog legislation at local levels, the Taylor Mill minutes said." Sandi also likes to take her show on the road. In June 2008, she and her "Responsible Dog Owners of Eastern States" cohort Andrea Press made the long trip down to Chapel Hill, NC, to speak against a proposed anti-chaining law at the County public hearing. Makes sense to me -- after one of your dogs "was found dead on its chain," take a road trip to North Carolina and present yourself as an expert on the topic. http://www.co.orange.nc.us/AnimalServices/documents/TetheringSummarySept222008Revised.pdf And guess who has taken over AADR after Terry Williams got arrested? Sandi's buddy -- Andrea Press. http://www.pitbull-family.com/pit-bull-related-f1/new-owner-of-all-american-dog-registry-aadr-t1702.htm