FAST FACTS:
(Millington 11/17/2009) A 50-year-old Millington man is accused of punching two Shelby County Sheriff's officers who were assisting Health Department Rabies Control officers trying to take away his pets.
A neighbor was concerned the dogs weren't being cared for properly, so Health Department Rabies Control officers showed up to investigate.
Authorities say the suspect, William Ledford attacked two officers. One of them, also suffered a dog bite to the leg.
And when Shelby County Sheriff's investigators searched the place they found a lot more than just animals.
7764 Shamrock is a home that gets noticed for reasons other than the Halloween decorations in the yard.
"If you open the door right now, you can smell the smell from here," said one neighbor. Out of fear of retaliation, he asked to remain anonymous.
He says Ledford and his 7 dogs and 2 cats have been living without electricity or running water for several weeks.
"He couldn't feed them half the time, other people had to feed them," he said.
To feed himself, court papers state Ledford was eating a mixture of dog food and instant mashed potatoes.
"We tried to help him as much as we could, but it was a no-win situation," said neighbor Charlotte Larson.
Monday a situation erupted between Ledford and two officers. A neighbor was concerned the dogs weren't being cared for property.
Ledford told the sheriff's office they could, "Bring all the f***ing officers they want to his residence, but he was not giving up his animals."
Officers took several precautions, removing weapons from the house, including two large military rounds and a Colt 45 model 191, before sending the officers in to get the dogs.
"It looked like World War three over there," said Larson.
Court papers state Ledford took a shot of vodka and then began punching both officers. One suffered bruises and scratches, another was bitten by a dog on the leg.
"I can see why he tried to fight them and everything, those dogs are like his kids. In the end that was his kids," said one neighbor.
"He's not capable of taking care of that place, he just couldn't do it," said Larson.
Ledford remains locked up on a $50,000 bond. He was also cited for not having his animals vaccinated. They'll remain at the Memphis Animal Shelter while this case works it's way through the system.
- William Ledford charged with Aggravated Assault
- Accused of punching officers
- Deputies confiscated several weapons from his home
(Millington 11/17/2009) A 50-year-old Millington man is accused of punching two Shelby County Sheriff's officers who were assisting Health Department Rabies Control officers trying to take away his pets.
A neighbor was concerned the dogs weren't being cared for properly, so Health Department Rabies Control officers showed up to investigate.
Authorities say the suspect, William Ledford attacked two officers. One of them, also suffered a dog bite to the leg.
And when Shelby County Sheriff's investigators searched the place they found a lot more than just animals.
7764 Shamrock is a home that gets noticed for reasons other than the Halloween decorations in the yard.
"If you open the door right now, you can smell the smell from here," said one neighbor. Out of fear of retaliation, he asked to remain anonymous.
He says Ledford and his 7 dogs and 2 cats have been living without electricity or running water for several weeks.
"He couldn't feed them half the time, other people had to feed them," he said.
To feed himself, court papers state Ledford was eating a mixture of dog food and instant mashed potatoes.
"We tried to help him as much as we could, but it was a no-win situation," said neighbor Charlotte Larson.
Monday a situation erupted between Ledford and two officers. A neighbor was concerned the dogs weren't being cared for property.
Ledford told the sheriff's office they could, "Bring all the f***ing officers they want to his residence, but he was not giving up his animals."
Officers took several precautions, removing weapons from the house, including two large military rounds and a Colt 45 model 191, before sending the officers in to get the dogs.
"It looked like World War three over there," said Larson.
Court papers state Ledford took a shot of vodka and then began punching both officers. One suffered bruises and scratches, another was bitten by a dog on the leg.
"I can see why he tried to fight them and everything, those dogs are like his kids. In the end that was his kids," said one neighbor.
"He's not capable of taking care of that place, he just couldn't do it," said Larson.
Ledford remains locked up on a $50,000 bond. He was also cited for not having his animals vaccinated. They'll remain at the Memphis Animal Shelter while this case works it's way through the system.
