- Kentucky, USA -
Always Faithful Animal Rescue, an Elizabethtown-based nonprofit rescue, has been charged with ninety-one (91) counts of second-degree animal cruelty, thirty-one (31) counts of not licensing dogs with the county, and thirty-four (34) counts of animals not being vaccinated against rabies.
Following complaints made about the rescue, Hardin County Animal Care and Control officer Chris Silas responded to the facility on Hawkins Drive, on July 22, 2023.
Mike McNutt, Animal Care & Control Director, told WAVE the animals “were living in neglect and just wasn’t up to code.” He added: “You know it needs to be clean, food and water and clean cages.”
Mr. McNutt also explained to The New-Enterprise: “The animals were living in a neglectful situation, not up to code, but no life-threatening issues. There was no reason for us to go in and seize the animals. We are working with the county attorney to get everything up to code.”
Three people associated with the rescue are now facing charges: 46-years-old AMY MARIE SMITH (pictured), 55-years-old KEVIN EUGENE SMITH, and 28-years-old JESSICA RENAE WAGNER (also pictured).
According to Always Faithful Animal Rescue’s website, AMY SMITH is listed as the president and WAGNER as adopter, volunteer, and foster parent.
AMY MARIE SMITH spoke with The News-Enterprise and said that the charges are unfounded and will be dropped. She told the news agency that she offered to show ACO Silas the animals’ vaccination records and claimed “He didn’t check. That’s the thing. He never checked for vaccinations. He just said you can bring them to court. The thing is he never asked me. … So he’s charging me with something he never checked.” SMITH went on to say that ACO Silas is “out to get us” and has attacked the rescue “online for years”.
With regard to her title as president of the rescue, she said: “anyone can write that. The thing is he’s charging me, and I’m not even on board. I have nothing to do with the rescue. I just work here.”
According to The News-Enterprise, SMITH did not allow the news agency to enter the facility “which she said acts solely as a rescue and houses aggressive dogs.”
Mr. McNutt said the animals remain in the care of Always Faithful Animal Rescue.
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