Arrest Made After 30 Animals Rescued from Deplorable Conditions

On April 5, 2016, the Gulfport Police Department arrested 59 year old James G. Wright, of Gulfport, on 30 counts of condition of premises where dogs are kept, 21 counts of failure to provide rabies vaccinations, and 1 count of conditional animal permit.
The arrest was the result of follow up investigations into an animal complaint initiated on March 6, 2016. At the time of the initial complaint, an animal control officer was notified of animal welfare conditions at a residence in the 2500 block of 5th Avenue. At that time, the animal control officer made contact with Wright at his residence where he was advised to resolve the problem regarding the number of animals on his property.
After numerous follow up contacts with Wright, it was observed that Wright failed to resolve the problem resulting in the execution of a search warrant on April 5, 2016. At that time, the Gulfport Police Department observed twenty (20) adult Yorkshire Terriers dogs, one (01) Labrador Retriever mix, eight (08) Yorkshire Terrier puppies, and one (01) Cockatoo bird living inside Wright’s residence. At that time, the observed animals were taken from the residence and Wright was then arrested.
After booking and other procedures, Wright was released from the Gulfport Police Department on a summons to appear in court on the aforementioned misdemeanor charges through the city of Gulfport Municipal Court.