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Written by: A. Smith
Published February 27, 2025 @ 9:27 AM ET
COWETA COUNTY, Ga. – A Coweta County couple is facing animal cruelty charges after authorities discovered dozens of neglected dogs and horses on their property, including a deceased dog being eaten by others.
On January 3, 2025, the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on the 800 block of Brimer Road to assist Coweta County Animal Control in an animal cruelty investigation. Upon arrival, animal control informed deputies that homeowners John Palm and Paula Palm were hoarding animals in deplorable conditions.
Authorities found approximately 10 dogs inside a closed vehicle in the driveway, along with 20 to 30 more dogs confined to an outdoor pen without shelter. A deceased dog was discovered inside the pen, being eaten by the other dogs. Additional dogs were believed to be housed inside a camper on the property.
Three horses were also found in the backyard in pens without shelter. One horse was confined to a small pen, standing in deep mud with no clean space to move.
At the time of the officer’s arrival, the Palms were not home. Deputies contacted John Palm by phone, and he advised that he would return in approximately 30 minutes. Upon arrival, he confirmed that he and his wife owned the animals and stated that they slept in their vehicle. Officers observed a puppy inside the vehicle, which was littered with dog food and smeared with feces.
Authorities determined that the Palms failed to provide adequate conditions for the animals on their property. John Palm was taken into custody and charged with animal cruelty. Warrants were also issued for Paula Palm, who was not present at the time. She was advised of the charges and encouraged to turn herself into the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies made arrangements to seize the animals, including the dogs in the vehicle and camper, as well as several malnourished dogs from the pen.
The remaining animals were expected to be removed the following week.
This case is currently pending in court.
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 January 3, 2025, I D/S A. Ibanez, responded to [800 BLOCK] Brimer Rd. to assist Animal Control in a cruelty to animal’s case.
Upon arrival I spoke to Lt. Bush, with Coweta County Animal Control, who advised that the home owner’s John Palmer and Paula Palmer were hoarding dogs. He advised that there were about ten dogs inside a closed vehicle in the drive way, about 20 to 30 dogs in an outside pen with no shelter. He also advised that there was a dead dog inside the pen and was being eaten by the other dogs. He also advised that there were an unknown number of dogs inside a camper that was on the premises. There were also three horses in the back yard in pens with no shelter, and that one of the horses was in a small pen with little room to move around and that it was standing deep in mud and had no clean area to step to.
The home owner was not at the house when Cpl. Weaver and I arrived. Corporal Weaver, made contact with Mr. Palm and he advised that he would be home in approximately 30 minutes. Upon his arrival Lt. Bush spoke to Mr. Palm and had asked him who the animals belonged to and Mr. Palm stated that they belonged to himself and his wife. Mr. Palm was asked where he and his wife would sleep and Mr. Palm stated that they sleep in the car. I noticed that Mr. Palm also had a puppy in the car that he was in when he arrived. The inside of the car had dog food spilled all over it and feces smeared everywhere. Mr. and Mrs. Palm, did not have adequate conditions for the animals that were on the property and are both being charged with Cruelty to Animals.
Mr. Palm was asked where his wife was and he stated that she was taking care of her grandchildren. Mrs. Palm was not on the premises at the time of the arrest and warrants will be taken out on her for the same charges. She was advised of the situation and that she was going to have warrants pulled against her and that it would be better for her to turn herself in to the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office.
Lt. Bush advised that he was making plans to take the animals. He stated that he was taking the ten or so that were in the vehicle, and the ones that were kept in the camper. He was also taking some of the more malnourished dogs from the pen. He stated that he will return next week Monday or Tuesday to remove the rest of the animals that are on the property.
[End of Narrative]