An emaciated English bulldog with xylophone ribs, an under bite and a bad left eye seems like a hard sell.

Not the case for Georgia.

She and seven of her canine friends were adopted Tuesday from The Dog Pound in Athens, hopefully taking them from a life of cruelty to care.

The eight dogs were among 29 malnourished, matted and filthy dogs rescued Friday from an Elkmont home where 43 other dogs were found dead — 42 wrapped in plastic and stuffed in freezers and one in a kennel.

With eight dogs on their way to happiness and two dogs being held for further socialization, 16 of the dogs still need good homes, said Brie Thornton, assistant director at the pound.

“We have 15 females and one male ranging in age from 1 to 10 years,” she said.

The mixed-breed dogs include English bulldogs, Shih Tzus, Poodles, Pomeranians, Dachshunds and Chihuahuas.

Since arriving at the shelter, the dogs have been bathed, undergone examinations, parasite screening, worming and vaccinations. Some still have extremely matted fur that will need to be shaved. The adoption fee is $150.

“What they need are good, loving homes,” Dr. Jim Lovell told The News Courier Monday. He said the neglect case is the worst he has seen in his five years as a veterinarian.

The former dog owner, Nannie Johnson, 62, of 25779 Putman Circle, who is charged with 43 counts of animal cruelty for the dead dogs, relinquished ownership of the surviving dogs Monday so they could be adopted, Lovell said.

She remains in jail in lieu of $32,250 bail and, if convicted on the charges, is facing up to a year in jail per count.

No further charges are pending through the Limestone County Sheriff’s Department, Chief Investigator Stanley McNatt said Tuesday.

“If there are any more charges, they will come through the grand jury,” he said.

To see the rescued dogs before you decide to adopt, stop by The Dog Pound at 1701 U.S. 72 East in Athens, located behind Limestone Veterinary Clinic on 72, just East of Interstate 65, next door to Russell Stover’s.

For more information about the dogs, call The Dog Pound at (256) 771-7889.