On Thursday, Lafayette County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Wardsville Road in Seymour for a Check Welfare case. During the investigation, deputies learned of animal neglect at the residence involving numerous dogs. Friday morning several deputies along with administration, responded to the residence accompanied by a staff member of the Green County Humane Society. Contact with the residents there was attempted, but no one appeared to be home. Later that day, Lafayette County Deputies, assisted by staff of the Green County Humane Society returned to the residence and seized 18 live dogs and 1 deceased dog varying in ages from very small puppies to adult dogs. All the dogs appeared to be a breed of German Shepherd in various states of severe neglect. The dogs were transported to the Green County Humane Society for evaluation by a veterinarian and for rehabilitation. Friday evening the owner of the dogs, 37-year-old Jeslias Z. Murillo-Lopez was taken into custody. Murillo-Lopez was booked into the Lafayette County Jail on numerous charges connected with the mistreatment of animals as well as bail jumping. This is an ongoing investigation and may result in additional charges.
