WALKER COUNTY, Ga. – According to Walker County Sheriff’s Office reports, Ronald Lee Jackson, 48, and his wife, Melissa Sue Jackson, 43, were both arrested in Brooks County, Georgia last week and booked into jail. The Morven City Police Department stopped Ronald and Melissa Jackson, about 18-miles from the Florida line, on July 1st. They were transported back to Walker County on July 2nd, where they were booked on the felony and misdemeanor charges.

“The couple faced a host of charges following the discovery of three deceased dogs and five others struggling to survive inside a hot business building. Warrants were issued by Walker County Animal Control for the arrest of Ronald Jackson and his wife, Melissa Jackson. The couple is charged with six counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, three counts of improper disposal of a dead animal, two counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals, two counts of abandonment of a domestic animal, and four counts of violating Georgia’s rabies control law,” According to a press release from the Walker County, GA Government.

The investigation began when Walker County Sheriff’s Deputies noticed an open door at a business located at 2234 McFarland Avenue in the early morning hours of Wednesday, June 25th, 2025.

While checking on the property, they found a small locked room with several dogs inside.

Animal control officers were called to the scene and after obtaining a search warrant, they found three deceased dogs along with a malnourished puppy, who later died at the vet.

Walker County Animal Control Director Tyler Bishop stated there was no food or water available for the dogs, and the entire floor was saturated with urine and feces.

He also reported a large amount of flies, maggots and other insects inside the room, which was extremely hot and muggy with no air conditioning or proper ventilation.

While working to remove the deceased dogs from the building, animal control officers also found two small puppies and two mixed-breed Chihuahuas alive, but saturated in urine and feces.

The two puppies were taken to a veterinarian, where they were diagnosed with Parvo, a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease that affects unvaccinated dogs.

When animal control officers made contact with Ronald Jackson, he told them the couple had moved the dogs to their business because they were currently staying in a hotel.

Jackson did surrender the dogs to the Walker County Animal Shelter. He and his wife then fled Walker County without turning themselves in.

Ronald and Melissa Jackson each face up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $90,000, or both if convicted on the six felony charges. As of this post both Ronald and Melissa are still incarcerated in the Walker County Jail.