Dogs Seized on Greenway Awarded to County

Nine pit bull and pit bull-mix dogs seized from two men on the Dulles Greenway earlier this month now belong to Loudoun County.

A Loudoun County judge awarded custody of the dogs to the county's Animal Control after a hearing Sept. 19, according to LoudounTimes.com.

The nine dogs were among the 10 discovered after a Loudoun County Animal Services officer stopped Sept. 7 to assist two men with a puppy along the Dulles Greenway shoulder near Shreve Mill Road. During the stop, the officer spotted multiple dogs of varying ages and degrees of health.

Authorities believe the men were transporting the dogs from several other states, some destined for Virginia, others elsewhere, according to a press release from Loudoun County.

At this week's court hearing, officials did not comment on the condition of the dogs, but said one of the dogs had died since they were seized, LoudounTimes.com reported.

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office assisted Animal Services in arresting Tremain Dene Johnson, 44, of Lithonia, Ga., and Harry Ortice Puckett, 33, of Elgin, Ill. Both men were charged with importing pet dogs in Virginia without a certificate of veterinary inspection, a Class 1 misdemeanor. 

Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 12 months in jail and $2,500 in fines. 

The men will appear in court Oct. 10, LoudounTimes.com reports.