Woman Facing Animal Cruelty Charges Was In Court On Thursday

A Coffee County woman facing 10 counts of animal cruelty was in court on Thursday in Coffee County. Carolyn Irby was charged earlier this year after nearly 100 small to medium dogs and several cats were found suffering and dying on her property on Hickory Grove Road.
In testimony Thursday, Coffee County Sheriff Sergeant Danny Ferrell said Irby admitted to him as being a hoarder, but was afraid to ask for help.
The animals were found in cages rusted shut and covered with cobwebs, some matted to the wire and unable to move.
Local authorities found they were living in “extremely neglectful conditions. Ferrell said on the night the animals were found, “It was immediately obvious that we were going to need assistance in removing this large number of animals and getting them to safety as quickly as possible.” He added, “Animal Rescue Corps was the only organization who could help us both document the scene and safely remove the animals.”
Irby’s case was bound over on Thursday to the Coffee County Grand Jury. She remains free on bond.