Two arrested following animal cruelty investigation

Jason Futch reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com Two Jasper residents were arrested on charges related to animal cruelty on Tuesday, Aug. 12, following the execution of a search warrant by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) and its Animal Control Division. According to arrest reports, the investigation began Monday, Aug. 11, after animal control was called to pick up several dogs from the property of Joan Adams Ellis, 67, and Jeffrey William Ellis, 64. The report states, when deputies arrived on the scene, the couple was speaking with Animal Control Coordinator Megan Smith and Animal Control Investigator Heather Smith about surrendering two dogs that were already in kennels, outside