Regenia Wells was recognized at Tuesday night's Tift County Commission meeting. She is shown with County Administrator Jim Carter.

TIFTON — “I love what I do,” says Tift County Animal Control Director Regenia Wells, who was honored Tuesday by the U.S. Humane Society and the National Sheriffs’ Association with a Humane Law Enforcement Award.

Chris Schindler, director of animal fighting investigations for the U.S. Humane Society, presented the award at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Macon to Wells, a Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent, a U.S. Department of Agriculture agent and Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Bowen for their involvement in a successful dogfighting case that resulted in the rescue of about 140 dogs.

Wells, who lives in Colquitt County, said several agencies had been working a dogfighting case, ranging from Georgia to Texas, for about five years. Seven people, who called themselves 229 Boys Kennel Club Inc., were arrested in the case. The offenders bred, purchased, sold and trained American Pit Bull Terriers for the purpose of dog fighting and gambling.

On April 30, 2014, Wells said she was contacted by Bowen who informed her that they had 20 dogs from the case and asked if she could take them. She said it turned out to be 42 dogs that came from Turner County. Wells noted these dogs were more like breeding dogs. The Humane Society took some of them, and said they were well taken care of. Wells says only two remain today at the local shelter.

She said one of the rescued dogs went to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where an organization there will get him fixed and put up for adoption. She said she named him “Smiley,” because “when he looked at you, all you saw were teeth.” She said part of his lips were torn off. She noted Smiley has been on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and the Today Show.

Wells admitted she adopted one of the dogs, naming him “James Bond.”

In January, she said she knew about the Humane Law Enforcement Award nomination. To actually be presented with the award was an honor, but for Wells, who has seen other people through the years get the award, it was also a total shock.

“I couldn’t have received this and done this without Brandi Conway, Chris Bullard, John Brannen and Karin Hartsfield,” she said about her staff. “We worked hard that day and days after to make sure those animals were taken care of, as well as the animals in the shelter.” She also commended Turner County Deputy Ben McCurdy, who also works for Animal Control, for his help.

Wells, who has been the director of the local shelter for 12 years, was also recognized by the Tift County commissioners at their meeting Tuesday evening, and all spoke highly of the job she does.

Jim Carter, county administrator, recalled the early days of his career when he worked as Animal Control director.

“Nobody likes the dog catcher. Nobody’s happy when you show up. You have to be compassionate about what you do. I’ve been involved with a bunch of them (animal shelters) and this is the very best. We don’t tell (Wells) all the time what a good job she does. She really does a good job, day in and day out,” he said.