A 36-year-old Washington state man is facing criminal charges after allegedly emailing Cobb County Animal Services Director Steve Hammond, calling him an “animal serial killer” and threatening to bomb his house. Mativa James Taoipu was arrested and booked into the Cobb County Jail on a $5,000 bond after investigators traced the threatening digital message back to his home in Washington state.
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, officials say Taoipu sent the email directly to Hammond, who has led Cobb County Animal Services. Cobb County law enforcement officials provided details on the investigation, threat and arrest records, but officials have not confirmed a motivation for the threat against Hammond, and authorities have not released whether Taoipu will be extradited from Washington or when he might appear in court.
A Felony Under Georgia Law
Under Georgia Code O.C.G.A. § 16-11-37, a terroristic threat is generally a misdemeanor and becomes a felony when it suggests the death of the threatened individual, according to FindLaw. Georgia law requires prosecutors to establish intent or reckless disregard in causing terror or public disruption, a threshold that will likely shape how the case against Taoipu proceeds.
The alleged threat comes amid discussion of harassment in animal welfare.
A Director Already Under Scrutiny
Hammond and his department have weathered repeated waves of public criticism and viral online commentary in recent years. In June 2025, Cobb County Animal Services issued an official statement disputing what it called “grossly exaggerated” social media posts about pet abandonment and shelter euthanasia figures, insisting the county publishes transparent intake and outcome data, per the Cobb County Courier.
That online hostility has coincided with genuine operational strain. Cobb County Animal Services took in more than 2,800 cats and kittens during 2025 alone, forcing staff to house multiple animals per cage and prompting emergency out-of-state transfers, as reported by WSB-TV. Rising housing and pet care costs have driven many owners to surrender animals they can no longer afford, deepening the overcrowding.
That overcrowding turned into a crisis just months ago. Hoodline previously reported on a shelter virus scare in which an outbreak of feline panleukopenia forced the emergency transfer of 43 cats and kittens to Furkids Animal Rescue after a kitten died from the virus, a scramble organized within hours to prevent widespread euthanasia.
Aging Facility, New Investment On The Way
Some of the department's struggles trace back to physical infrastructure. Cobb County officials announced plans in July for a new $65 million Animal Services facility on Al Bishop Drive near Marietta, funded through a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, WSB-TV reported.
Hammond has also been a visible presence in county policymaking beyond day-to-day shelter operations. He strongly advocated for an ordinance, passed by Cobb County commissioners in November 2025, banning the roadside sale of dogs, cats and rabbits from vehicles, parking lots and flea markets, making Cobb the 17th Georgia jurisdiction to enact such restrictions, according to WSB Radio.
The department has also faced internal controversy. Two former employees were arrested on animal-cruelty allegations, WSB-TV reported at the time.
A National Backdrop Of Shelter Strain
Roughly 5.8 million dogs and cats entered U.S. shelters in 2025 as facilities faced extended stays and capacity limits, according to the ASPCA. Against that backdrop, the alleged threat against Hammond underscores how volatile online reaction to shelter operations has become, even as officials in Cobb County continue investing in new capacity and policy changes meant to ease the strain.
