NATCHEZ — State and local officials are scheduled to meet Monday concerning the state’s animal cruelty laws following what is likely the largest animal abuse case in Adams County history.

The meeting will take place at 10:30 a.m. at City Hall.

Those said to be attending include Sen. Bob Dearing, D-Natchez, and representatives from the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society (NACHS), Adams County Sheriff’s Office and Natchez Police Department.

Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell said the meeting of the minds is meant for discussion about revamping Mississippi’s animal protection laws; something he said is undoubtedly needed.

“No question about it, of course,” Grennell said. “(We want) to try to get the state to come up with some better legislation with the treatment of animals.”

Dearing, a longtime proponent of strengthening and clarifying animal cruelty laws in the state, said he is eager to find out what the other officials have to say about the matter.

“I plan on taking a lot of notes and trying to get a consensus on what people there would like,” Dearing said.

The officials have seen a public outcry from the community with people asking for more stringent laws.

NACHS President Robert Greene said though he does not yet know the exact scope of Monday’s meeting, he is sure this ordeal has spurred both officials and the community at large to take action.

“We’ve got a community that’s upset,” Greene said. “I’m not going to say there’s a silver lining to this cloud, but there is because it has galvanized this community.

“The general population wants to see that there are going to be consequences — big consequences.”

Monday’s meeting will come exactly one week after a bust at 29 1/2 Miracle Road, the site of a suspected dog-fighting operation where sheriff’s deputies eventually discovered more than 50 dogs. Many of the dogs had been mangled, and officials said at least nine were euthanized for humane purposes due to the extent of their injuries.

The owner of the property, Tommie Queen, has been charged with 50 counts of dogfighting, among other charges and was released Thursday on a $60,000 bond.