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Six Forsyth County residents arrested for adopting out puppies with parvo – Five puppies died

- Georgia, USA -

 

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office arrested six individuals after several puppies died of parvovirus after being adopted out of a home on 5675 Archer Avenue.

 

According to a press release by the sheriff’s office and obtained by Voice For Us, Forsyth County Animal Services had been dealing with the arrestees since April 2023, when a puppy was sold from that location and later died from parvo.

 

On that occasion, all six individuals “were instructed not to adopt any other animals until the residence and other animals on scene were treated for parvovirus”, stated the release.

Instead, they all chose to ignore the warning and since then, four more puppies have died.

Two had to be humanely euthanized due to parvovirus in December 2023. The other two died in January 2024, on separate occasions. One of the two was euthanized and the other one was found dead on the front porch by Animal Services on January 11, 2024. On that day Animal Services had gone to the residence and in addition to the deceased dog on the porch, they also found and removed one dog who was extremely sick.

 

Forsyth County Animal Services say that after all six of them were warned several times to stop buying and selling animals, and after nearly a year of non-compliance, and several animal deaths, law enforcement was forced to get involved.

 

On January 12, 2024, a search warrant was obtained for the residence for the removal of all animals.

 

As stated in the release: “Upon execution of the search warrant, the residence was observed in extreme filth and disarray, with trash, feces, and urine throughout the home. Dogs were in cages, 2 per cage, [without] water as the residence did not have running water. A total of 12 dogs and two bearded dragons were seized during the search warrant.”

The rescued Voiceless Victims are currently receiving medical care at the Forsyth County Pet Resource Center (formerly the Animal Shelter).

 

On January 16, 2024, detectives learned that two of the six residents had each adopted a puppy via Facebook.

The sheriff’s office said despite the multiple warnings, and knowing how dangerously contagious parvo is, all the six individuals have continued to bring animals into the home. “the residents of the household maliciously and with intent, failed to provide sanitary conditions and medical treatment to the animals living within the residence to the extent it resulted in the death of five animals”, stated the release.

 

Arrest warrants were obtained for:

 

·         22-years-old SHEYANN BELLE-EDWARDS (pictured), for Aggravated Cruelty to Animals and four counts of Cruelty to Animals.

 

·         24-years-old HANNAH RENE GLENN (pictured), for four counts of Cruelty to Animals.

 

·         34-years-old JONATHAN LEE JAGNEAUX (pictured), for Cruelty to Animals.

 

·         28-years-old LASHIA LEEANN SAMPLES (pictured), for five counts Cruelty to Animals.


·         18-years-old KIARA WALLIS (pictured), for 2 counts of Cruelty to Animals.

 

·         28-years-old EMILY GRACE WILGUS (pictured), for three counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals and two counts of Cruelty to Animals.

 

They were all transported to the Forsyth County Jail and according to online records, only WALLIS is no longer in custody.

 

The sheriff’s office said the two puppies adopted over the weekend along with a cat were seized by animal control.

 

Forsyth County Community & Animal Safety Director Jerry Ramos said in a statement: “The Animal Services team worked quickly to respond to the alleged case and partnered with the  Sheriff's Office for the investigation as quickly as possible once the severity of the situation was apparent. We feel that the reason we were able to rescue as many animals as we did was because of the great partnership between Animal Services, the Pet Resource Center and the Sheriff’s Office.”

 

Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.

 


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JOSEPH ANDREW LERSCH set his girlfriend’s trailer home on fire killing a mama dog and her babies

- Alabama, USA -

 

On the night of Thursday, January 11, 2024, the Loxley Police Department arrested 31-years-old JOSEPH ANDREW LERSCH (pictured).

 

In an interview with FOX10, Sgt. Zach Kuiken with the Loxley Police Department explained that LERSCH and his girlfriend were at her home trailer on County Road 49 in Loxley when they got into an argument that later “turned into a physical altercation, resulting in the female leaving the trailer.”

 

According to Sgt. Kuiken, the girlfriend went next door to a family member’s home and in her absence, LERSCH set her home ablaze.

 

The woman left leaving behind a mother dog and her three puppies who all sadly lost their precious lives.

 

I have emailed the Loxley Police Department to inquire about the Voiceless Victims but Sgt. Kuiken could not disclose any information and said: “Our victim in this case has requested privacy. Thank you.”

 

Sgt. Kuiken told FOX10 that when officers arrived, LERSCH was still on the scene and then ran from them. Officers said he appeared to be under the influence of drugs.

 

After a brief foot chase LERSCH was apprehended and placed under arrest. According to Sgt. Kuiken, LERSCH damaged a few items inside the patrol vehicle when he had to be further restrained for resisting arrest.

 

In addition to domestic violence, arson, resisting arrest, and criminal mischief, LERSCH has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty.

 

Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Link included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.

 

 

LERSCH’s mugshot shared from the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office


 



 
 
 

RANDALL LARRY THAXTON sentenced to five years in prison for dogfighting and animal cruelty

- Georgia, USA -

 

The Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office announced that on Friday, January 12, 2024, in Cherokee County Superior Court, 59 RANDALL LARRY THAXTON (pictured) was sentenced after being found guilty of running a dogfighting operation out of his Canton home.

 

On December 8, 2023, after about three hours of jury deliberation, THAXTON was found guilty of nine counts of dogfighting and seven counts of cruelty to animals.

 

Superior Court Judge Tony Baker sentenced THAXTON to twenty (20) years in prison, with the first five years to be served behind bars.

THAXTON was ordered to pay $45,000 in fines and to serve 360 hours of mandatory community service. Additionally, according to the DA’s Office, THAXTON is forbidden from “owning”, “possessing”, or breeding dogs and may not have contact with any known dogfighters or people who attend dogfights.

 

It all started in November 2022, when Cherokee and Paulding County authorities received a tip about possible dogfighting activity.

 

The Cherokee County Marshals conducted a welfare check at a home on Union Hill Road in Canton and reported “signs that Thaxton was possibly involved in dog fighting.”

According to the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office, “Officers noticed that eight of his dogs were tethered outside with heavy logging chains commonly used by dog fighters. The dogs were chained close to each other but just out of reach, a tactic that serves to build dog aggression. These signs of dog fighting, along with additional investigation, led to the Marshal’s Office following up with a search warrant.”

 

A search warrant executed at the home on December 6, 2022, led to the discovery of items associated with dog fighting. Authorities found steroids, a break stick, medical supplies for treating wounds, a journal with animal workout regimens, documents linking dogs to other dog fighters, contracts for dog sales, and a dog fighting creed.

 

The DA’s Office said that the veterinarian who examined the Voiceless Victims “found that they had skin infections, rashes around their necks from their collars, and swollen paw pads.”

 

THAXTON was placed under arrest and all the furvictims were taken to the Cherokee County Animal Shelter where a pregnant dog gave birth to puppies soon afterward.

 

Animal Crimes Resource Prosecutor Jessica Rock said in a statement: “Dog fighters operate hidden in plain sight, in an organized, criminal enterprise that includes breeding and selling dogs, training dogs, hosting and spectating violent fights, and fighting dogs to the point of exhaustion or serious injury. It is a despicable activity that is incredibly cruel to the dogs. By prosecuting dog fighters, we bring this underground world to light, ensure that these dogs receive the justice they deserve, and work toward someday completely eradicating this crime.”

 

Assistant District Attorney Rachel Murphy said evidence suggested THAXTON may have been involved in dogfighting for decades.

 

Cherokee County District Attorney Susan Treadaway stated: “Let this be a clear message that Cherokee County will not accept or condone inhumane treatment of animals – especially the violence and abuse associated with dog fighting. It is time as a society that we step up and stop the abuse and mistreatment of innocent animals. Ordinary citizens can play a part in stopping the abuse of animals by recognizing signs of dog fighting and reporting concerns to law enforcement.”

 

Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.

 

 

THAXTON’s mugshot via the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office


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