Several Beauregard Parish residents, along with members of animal rights groups, want authorities to shut down a Ragley puppy-breeding business and charge the owners with cruelty to animals.

But Sheriff Ricky Moses said it’s doubtful the breeders will face charges. “At this point, I don’t see enough evidence to press charges for animal cruelty,” he said.

The breeders in question, Cathy and Ricky Greene, voluntarily surrendered 22 dogs on July 24. One of the dogs reportedly died after surgery to treat a uterine infection; others were found with severely matted fur; and one had an infected eye.

Ann Duhon said she is unable to barbecue in her backyard because the smell from the breeders’ property — 200 yards from her home — is too pungent. She said she has complained to the Sheriff’s Office about the conditions for almost a year.

“I am just in disbelief,” she said. “This is unreal. I’ve been fighting this for so long, and I thought I would finally be getting some help.”

The calls to shut down the breeding operation amped up when Duhon’s teenage son visited the property and shot video on his iPod.

The video, which lasts just over 16 minutes, shows a dog severely infested with fleas and countless others in various cages and trailers. That video can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJtv-O-XNh4 and another video is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk7tU37Dqow

Duhon said the woman living there asked her son and his friend to come over to help feed the dogs because she was unable to manage the feeding by herself.

Sheila Gilley, a member of American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said the couple kept more than 50 Maltese, Yorkies and mixed breeds in unsanitary conditions.

The Sheriff’s Office sent DeRidder-area veterinarian Catherine White on Aug. 9 to investigate the premises. In her report she said that, on average, the dogs’ body condition scores were between three or four out of a possible nine.”

She recommended reducing the number of dogs, but said the animals had adequate food, shelter and water. She noted that the fur on almost all of the dogs was severely matted due to urine saturation. She said she inspected 20 dogs, none of which had fleas.

State law says that anyone who fails to provide animals with “proper food, proper drink, proper shelter, or proper veterinary care” can be charged with cruelty to animals.

Jeff Dorson of the Humane Society of Louisiana said the dogs in Ragley obviously lacked proper veterinary care.

Should the dogs be seized or voluntarily given up, Gilley said animal advocacy groups have the means to find a place to care for them.

“Southwestern Louisiana citizens are ready to take care of these dogs,” she said. “They can go straight into Baton Rouge kennels; they don’t even have to touch Beauregard Parish facilities.”

The Greenes could not be reached for comment.

Community members from Beauregard Parish pled with local officials to create laws in an effort to shut down a puppy mill in Ragley