Another person arrested in Walker County animal hoarding case

WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — The Walker County Sheriff’s Office has now arrested a second person in the animal hoarding case out of Lafayette.

Last week, the sheriff’s office arrested 70-year-old Katheryn Marie Decker on aggravated animal cruelty and willful obstruction of a law enforcement officer.

Deputies have now also arrested her husband, 76-year-old Dee Darren Decker. They are charging him with one count of aggravated cruelty to animals.

Dee Decker. Courtesy of Walker County Government.

Walker County Government says “Decker enabled his wife by paying for all of the food for the animals and had a disregard for the living conditions of the animals, which the couple also resided in.”

In addition, authorities said they have found a total of 101 cats and 3 dogs in their property.

A deputy and animal control officers found the following on their property:

• Dozens of cats stacked in crates.
• One deceased cat in a crate.
• Animal feces in the couple’s residence.
• Dogs chained to trees.

Cages inside couple’s home. Courtesy of Walker County Government.

Walker County’s Animal Services went to inspect the property, but they say Katheryn Decker refused them from entering her property. They then had to obtain an inspection warrant to get access to the property.

“All of the animals removed from the property over the past several days have been relocated to the Walker County Animal Shelter and a temporary shelter site pending court proceedings,” Walker County Government said.

The case is still under investigation.