Kentucky Animal Rescue Faces 91 Counts Of Animal Cruelty

June 4, 2024 Malorie Thompson

An animal rescue in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, is facing 91 counts of animal cruelty after police witnessed unsanitary conditions and code violations.

According to WAVE 3, three people associated with Always Faithful Animal Rescue are involved in the case, including Amy Smith, 46, Kevin Smith, 55, and Jessica Wagner, 28.

Photo: Pexels/sergio souza

Those people are being charged with 91 counts of second-degree animal cruelty (one count for each animal in their care), along with 31 counts of not licensing dogs with the county. In addition, they're being charged with 34 counts of animals not being vaccinated against rabies.

The charges are classified as a class A misdemeanors and are punishable by up to one year in jail on each count if convicted.

Photo: Pixabay/Pexels

WAVES reports that the Hardin County Animal Care and Control made the charges due to animal neglect, code violations and unsanitary conditions. No animals were confiscated from the rescue, which is still operating at the time of writing.

According to the News Enterprise, the rescue believes the charges are unfounded and is hopeful that they will all be dropped.

Photo: Pexels/Antonio Florentini

Amy Smith, who is listed as the rescue's president on its website, said police were initially called to the rescue after receiving a smell complaint. Smith said the smell was dog poop. She went on to say that she was working on cleaning the dogs' kennels late at night but hadn't got to them all when the officer arrived to investigate. The officer reportedly found dogs in their kennels with feces, which Smith claims she planned to clean but hadn't gotten to yet.

Smith and the others from the rescue plan to fight the charges in court.

Malorie Thompson

Malorie works as a writer and editor in Northern California. She's passionate about food, conscious living, animal welfare, and conservation. She's worked with a variety of publications in different sectors but is happiest covering topics close to her heart. When not at her laptop, Malorie can be found enjoying picnics on the beach, hiking in the redwoods, and spending time with her rescue pup, Jax.

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