CULPEPER -- Authorities filed 84 animal cruelty charges against a Culpeper man and woman after discovering more than a dozen dogs and other animals in a vacant Culpeper home last week.

James M. Jackson, 25, and Amanda B. Melendez, 30, who rented a house in the 100 block of Duke Street, were arrested by sheriff's deputies last Thursday on the misdemeanor charges.

Culpeper County Animal Control officer Kim Siebert said her agency was called to the scene by the landlord.

"She attempted to check on her property at different times of the day" over three days, Siebert said. "There were numerous animals in the home, and there weren't supposed to be any animals in the home."

Siebert, who assisted in removing the animals, described the home as uninhabitable.

"There was no furniture, the house was vacant, and no food or water was present," Siebert said. "Under those circumstances, we decided to seize the animals."

Officials have not determined how long the animals had been unattended.

"I don't believe it was a puppy mill," Siebert continued. "I think they just had too many dogs and it may have gotten out of control. There was only one litter of puppies."

The charges are classified as Class 1 and Class 4 misdemeanors. Commonwealth's Attorney Gary Close said the more serious misdemeanors are punishable by a year in jail and a $2,500 fine or both.

The home in the Willow Shade subdivision appeared unoccupied Tuesday afternoon. No one answered the door.

Although one puppy died two days after being taken from the home, Siebert said the other dogs, a parakeet and an iguana are doing well.

"They have been treated by a vet and they're being treated for skin conditions and parasites," Siebert said. "If everything goes real well with the case, I hope to have some good adoptions out of these dogs."

Jackson and Melendez were also charged with not having dog licenses and failure to provide vaccinations. Both are due in General District Court April 3.
Nate Delesline III is a staff writer for the Star Exponent in Culpeper.