May 22, 2013
Georgina Bloomberg was in Jones County in March when deputies uncovered a puppy mill. Now she wants to give back.
The morning of March 14th, deputies, along with members of the Humane Society of the United States arrived at a Jones County home where a puppy mill had been reported by a concerned citizen. After hours of work, deputies and volunteers rescued more than 80 dogs and one cat from the home of Glen and Joyce Brown, The Browns have since been convicted of 38 counts, each, of animal cruelty.
On the day of the bust, Georgina Bloomberg, daughter of New York City's mayor, was in town to observe and contribute her time with the Humane Society of the United States. She told WITN, "Really for us it's about going back and spreading the word. Especially being in New York, people tend to go to dog stores."
Now, Bloomberg has reached back out to the Jones County Sheriff's Office with a $20,000 check for their Animal Crimes Unit. In her letter, she pledges $60,000 more is coming to the office. A contribution, Sheriff Danny Heath said was unexpected, and likely the largest donation that county's Sheriff's Office has ever seen.
"It was really a shock, but it shows that we do work that impacts people in Jones County and beyond," said Heath.
The Animal Crimes Division, lead by Tom Labuda, runs on minimal funding, which is usually whatever the Sheriff's office budget can spare after covering basic expenses.
