Update Dec. 23:
Officers obtained a search warrant and found more than 20 cows, four goats and two more dogs all dead. Officers put down two more cows, rescued three others and some chickens and five other dogs.
Stevens is receiving psychiatric treatment in Rome
Callie Starnes
Eyewitness News Reporter
DADE COUNTY, GA (WRCB) --
Amanda Morgan says its no surprise her neighbor, 59 year-old Hillard Stevens, is in trouble with the law.
"Once, twice a month is a good month," explained Morgan, "but if it's real bad the cops are out here three or four times a week."
Morgan says Stevens allows his animals to roam free and doesn't take proper care of them.
"It's pitiful," said Morgan, "I've tried to adopt his dogs from him and he won't let me because he doesn't think there's anything wrong with them."
Police were called to Stevens' home on Tuesday after a friend discovered a dead dog in Stevens' yard.
According to a police report, Stevens told friends he stabbed the dog because it wouldn't listen.
After obtaining a search warrant, deputies then discovered a second dog in a trash bag in the bed of Stevens' truck. It too had been stabbed to death.
Inside the home deputies discovered nearly a dozen knives and a gun lying on the coffee table, a violation of a protective order previously placed against Stevens.
We visited Stevens' home today looking for family members, but no one was home. We did find half a dozen dogs roaming the property. One appeared to be malnourished, and had stitches all over its body.
We also discovered a dead cow on Stevens' property, visible from the main road.
While it isn't clear how the cow died, Amanda Morgan hopes police will intervene and find Stevens and his pets the help they need.
"I just hope he can get the help he needs," said Morgan.
Hillard Stevens is still in custody, but has been transferred to a mental institute to undergo treatment.
As for the animals still on the property, the Sheriff's Office says it will be up to a judge to determine if they need to be removed.
Dade County does not have an animal control program.
