‘It’s horrific’: Authorities seize dozens of dogs from Walker Co. home, 2 people in custody

WALKER COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) - Two people are in custody after authorities seize dozens of dogs from a Walker County home.

Orville Brian Nailer, 53, of Nauvoo was arrested Monday near the bowling alley in Jasper. He is charged with 28 counts of second-degree animal cruelty.

Michael Devane Poole, 61, also faces charges in the investigation.

The 11 dogs in his vehicle were picked up by the Jasper Animal Shelter. Nailer also had a warrant for failing to appear in court on a Driving while Suspended ticket.

T.J. Armstrong with the Walker County Sheriff’s Office called the scene ‘horrific.’ He said about 70 dogs were rescued outside the home and more than 30 inside.

Armstrong said both men live at the same address, face the same charges: 28 counts of animal cruelty to a dog, second degree. That’s a class A misdemeanor.

Armstrong described this as a hoarding situation, a situation that likely started with good intentions but got out of reach. This is not a puppy mill.

Armstrong also said due to the extreme neglect, they were actually living in their cars because the house was uninhabitable.

From the Greater Birmingham Humane Society:

Most of the animals GBHS evaluated were malnourished and some had injuries. Our veterinary team and a veterinary clinic in Walker County are ensuring each animal has the best possible vet care.

Due to the high number of animals, GBHS and WCHS are now at capacity, and must begin the process of finding these animals a permanent and safe placement. However, we also want to make sure any pet owner with a missing pet has the opportunity to determine if that pet may be among the pets rescued at the site.

GBHS has created a form for owners to complete that will begin the process of determining if your pet is in our care.

Click here to access and complete the form.

The men were arrested while a team consisting of Sheriff’s deputies, Greater Birmingham Humane Society, Jasper Animal Shelter, Walker County EMA, Walker County Humane Society, and Saragossa Fire Department, executed an animal cruelty search warrant in the Lupton/Prospect community.

“This is a really heartbreaking and one of the worst cases we’ve seen. The animals are in rough shape,” says Allison Black Cornelius, the CEO of the Greater Birmingham Humane Society.

They set up a massive triage operation to offer immediate aid to the dogs.

“These dogs are malnourished, terribly underweight, they are sick. Many of them are injured and have not been treated. Non have been vaccinated and you have to concerned about disease when you have this many animals on a property,” says Black Cornelius.

The animals with injuries or illness are being taken to local veterinarian offices, and the rest will be taken to shelters.

“I am really glad that Walker County has a sheriff that takes these cases seriously and is willing to do something about it,” says Black Cornelius.

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