KAT 5 Animal Rescue responded to calls regarding animals in need of care and placement in Dewy Rose, Ga but did not expect the turn of events that followed.

The Elberton Star
Staff Writer

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Cruelty charges filed against 'Angels'

Two caretakers of a dog sanctuary in Elbert County are wanted on numerous counts of animal cruelty.

Lynette Rowe and Sue Wells, the former caretakers of Canine Angels on Pulliam Mill Road, are each wanted for 13 counts of cruelty to animals, a press release from the Elbert County Sheriff’s Department said.

The Elbert County Sheriff’s Office, the Elbert County Animal Control Officer and the Department of Agriculture responded to the location out of concerns for animals on the property, the press release said.

Canine Angels has had ongoing issues dating back approximately two years, which has prompted various visits to the facility.

Problems such as overcrowding, poor conditions and lack of life sustaining necessities have been a few of the issues, the sheriff’s release said.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture started to monitor the situation in an effort to get Canine Angels back into compliance, but conditions got worse instead of better, the release said.

Approximately four weeks ago, the Department of Agriculture came to the location and pulled Canine Angels’s license and was prepared to remove the animals.

After Rowe and Wells were notified of this, they turned ownership of the dogs over to Jim Willis of Tiergarten Sanctuary Trust.

At one point Larry Roberts with KAT 5 Rescue was contacted and got involved with the Department of Agriculture to assist in removing the animals, the release said.

A volunteer of KAT 5 Rescue, Cassandra Coster, was asked to assist with the animals at Canine Angels.

On July 17, Coster was asked to leave the property by Wells and Rowe, the release said.

Wells and Rowe sent a message to Don Hill, an acquaintance of theirs, telling him that they were leaving and not to try and contact or find them, the release said. They also stated that they would not leave a forwarding address.

This prompted a response from Elbert County Sheriff’s Office, Elbert County Animal Control and the Department Of Agriculture to the location.

Upon arrival, officials found four animals in urgent need of immediate veterinarian care, the release said. An officer of Elbert County Animal Control took these animals to the local veterinarian, where they were treated.

In the process of removing these animals, one of the animal control officers was taken to Elbert Memorial Hospital for treatment of a bite.

When investigators from the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office arrived, it was determined that there were several animals inside of the locked residence, the release said.

Coster had been told by the caretakers to not enter the residence.

A search warrant was obtained by the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office to enter the residence and determine the welfare of the animals.

After entering the residence, officials found “horrible” conditions, with a large amount of dog feces and the strong smell of urine, the release said.

There was also no food or water for the animasl found inside the residence.

A licensed veterinarian was called to the scene to assess the dogs and it was determined that eight of the nine dogs in the residence needed immediate care.

A total of 11 dogs were taken into the custody of Elbert County Animal Control for medical treatment, the release said.

Approximately 110 dogs, and 12 cats remain on the premises and are currently in the care of Kat 5 Rescue.

A total of 26 warrants have been taken by the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office charging Rowe and Wells with 13 counts each of cruelty to animals.