DOG BITE PROBE YIELDS METH LAB

Deputies Find Guns, Cash At Property On Kentucky 144

Daviess County Sheriff's deputies responding to a complaint about a dog
attack Thursday turned up an active methamphetamine lab and more than two
dozen firearms.

Joseph Allen Hamilton, 38, of the 11200 block of Kentucky 144 was charged
with manufacturing methamphetamine while armed after Sheriff's Deputy Russ
Day smelled ether while investigating the reported dog attack on Hamilton's
property three miles east of Knottsville.

Deputies searched a trailer on Hamilton's property and found ingredients
used to manufacture methamphetamine in a stage of the cooking process, as
well as what appeared to be ground pseudophedrine tablets, said DCSD
narcotics Detective Jim Acquisto. They also found $6,600 and firearms,
including 17 rifles, eight handguns and a stun gun. They also found a
sword, night vision goggles, assorted ammunition, a bulletproof vest and
antique coins.

All but three of the guns were found in a room where the lab was, Acquisto
said.

No other arrests were made.

DCSD Chief of Investigations Jeff Jones said police are still investigating
the involvement of others.

Sheriff Keith Cain said the drug bust shows the importance of having
deputies trained to deal with identifying methamphetamine.

"This started out as a dog bite at this location, and from the basis of a
smell we were able to seize a meth lab," Cain said. "It's because of the
positive impact training has had on our road officers."

Deputies were called to the scene after Janet M. Mills, 38, of Whitesville
reported she was attacked by four dogs on Hamilton's property. Deputies
said she suffered a puncture wound and scratch on her right leg.

Mills was treated at Owensboro Mercy Health System and released.

Acquisto said they are unsure why Mills was on the property.

Deputies took five dogs into custody, including two Dalmatians, two partial
pit bull breeds and two Rottweilers.

Hamilton also faces a charge of second-degree cruelty to animals after
deputies found a dog in a junked vehicle with no food or water.

This is not the first time Hamilton has been arrested on methamphetamine
charges.

In March 1999 he was charged with manufacturing and trafficking in
methamphetamine while in possession of a firearm, but a Daviess County
grand jury dismissed the charges in October 1999.