3 People Arrested After 29 Deceased Dogs Found By Distressed Tradesman During Callout

Three people have been arrested after 29 dead dogs were found wrapped in plastic bags and dumped in the backyard of an Alabama home.

Lee County Sheriff's Office was called to the home in the Beauregard community shortly before 11 a.m. on Monday, January 12, to reports of possible animal cruelty.

When deputies and investigators arrived at the scene, they found 29 deceased dogs in the backyard of the residence.

The dogs, including puppies and adults, had been placed in plastic bags.

Investigators further found an additional 24 dogs inside the property that were alive but appeared to be emaciated.

The animals were taken into the care of Lee County Animal Control.

The residents of the home, Curtis Dewayne Haralson, 63, Patricia Ann Sims, 54, and Tiffany Ann Sims, 27, were arrested and taken to a local jail.

Authorities expect to charge the three with felony offenses, and investigations remain ongoing.

“On January 12, 2026, at approximately 10:45 AM CST, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a concerned citizen in reference to possible animal cruelty that occurred in the 8100 block of Lee Road 146 in the Beauregard community of Lee County, AL,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

It added, “The deceased animals ranged from puppies to adult dogs. Investigators located approximately 24 additional dogs inside the residence that were alive but appeared to be emaciated.”

“The Investigation is on-going at this time and will more than likely result in felony charges for all three individuals.

“Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 334-749-5651 or Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867).”

The case has generated significant shock in the local community, with claims emerging that animal cruelty concerns were reported over a period of six years.

It is alleged that the sheriff’s office only acted after a local tradesman discovered the dead animals when he was called to the home by Haralson.

Kaleiden Haywood claimed that he reported concerns immediately after noticing an extremely strong smell and obtaining photographic evidence of the deceased animals.

Haywood wrote on social media that he found the dead dogs in bags behind the home, adding that urine was also seeping through the floor when he attended the property.

“Went there to do some work for him this morning and it was discussing [sic] what we found,” Haywood said. “I have pictures, but I don’t know if it would be a good idea to post.”

In a local community group, Beauregard Concerns, neighbors said that after reporting the issue over several years, nothing had been done.

“Sadly, we live next to them. We’ve reported this animal cruelty for the last 5-6 years and not one thing was done about it,” one person wrote.

“I’ve called DHR, animal control, & LCSO and every time I was told there’s nothing we can do. It's been this disgusting for 5 years.”

They added, “Several other people in the neighborhood have reported it multiple times as well with not one damn thing done about it.”

Another neighbor similarly detailed reporting concerns, but claimed nothing was ever done.

“We live behind them,” the neighbor wrote. “We’ve reported it to Animal Control numerous times over the last 5 years & nothing was ever done.

“I told my wife years ago the odor wasn’t just filth, it was dead animals. It was so bad every summer, we couldn’t enjoy our pool or even sit on our back porch.

“It would take your breath away. We’re so relieved this has been dealt with!”