Animal Cruelty Souder
On Thursday, September 7, 2023, at 10:30 PM, the Haralson County Sheriff’s Office was contacted in reference to animal abuse. The deputy who contacted the complainant was made aware of a horrific video that had been posted on social media showing animal cruelty involving puppies. On Friday, September 8, 2023, around 8:00 AM, Sheriff Stacy Williams was contacted in reference to this video and contacted Captain Donnie Mapp of the Criminal Investigative Division. An investigation was started into this unbelievable cruelty by Sgt. Jason Bowman and Investigator Seth Entrekin. A little after 3:00 PM, Sheriff Williams, Investigators, members of the Crime Suppression Unit, a Crime Scene Investigator and B shift Patrol Deputies went to the 7600 block of Highway 27 to serve a warrant for Felony Aggravated Cruelty to Animals and to execute a search warrant in this case. During the search warrant service, evidence was located and processed. Investigators also located a firearm, and two active moonshine stills along with the components for additional stills.
Jamey Lee “Pooh” Souder, a 48-year-old W/M out of Felton, GA has been arrested and charged with Felony Aggravated Cruelty to Animals for the deaths of the puppies. Souder is also charged with Felony Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon, Felony Unlawful Possession of Firearms and Felony Manufacture/Distillation of Alcoholic Beverage.
This is the second report of animal abuse in Haralson County in the first eight days of September. The first case was originally investigated by the Haralson County Animal Control but has been taken over by the Haralson County Sheriff’s Office. This second case was reported directly to us, and our Criminal Investigative Division began the investigation.
“Back in June of this year, we saw two cases of terrible mistreatment of animals that caused death. In both of those cases, our Office charged the individuals with Felony Aggravated Cruelty to Animals. Now, in early September, we are seeing more animal abuse cases,” states Sheriff Stacy Williams. “It is hard to understand someone not taking care of their animals, it is even harder to understand someone intentionally harming them. Animal cruelty in any form is unacceptable.”