Shannon Lacewell, Paws, Claws and More - Kentucky

Mar 28, 2012:  Additional charges for alleged animal abuser

For the first time in a month and half, alleged animal abuser Shannon Lacewell was in court Wednesday morning. Prosecutors added 96 additional charges of animal cruelty.

On Feb. 14, the Animal Rescue Corps along with the Graves County Sheriff's Department raided her "Paws, Claws and More" shelter and seized 96 starving and sick dogs. They also found nine dead dogs on the property.

Lacewell is due back in court next Wednesay for a pre-trial conference and arraignment for a drug possession charge. She is out on bond and is legally barred from housing any domestic animals of any kind at this time..."  More & video

Animal rescue group wants charges against Lacewell upgraded 

Friend who blew whistle on alleged animal cruelty speaks out 

Woman charged with animal cruelty speaks out 

Authorities serve warrant at local animal shelter 

Mar 15, 2012:  100 dogs rescued after raid at southern KY facility

by Kevin Young

About 100 dogs seized in Kentucky are settling in at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds after they were taken Tuesday from a property in southern Kentucky that claimed to be a rescue operation.

The Graves County Sheriffs Department and members of the Animal Rescue Corps raided "Paws and Claws" in Wingo, KY.

According to ARC, the animals were living in filthy conditions, didn't have access to food and many were in poor health.

They also said they found several dead dogs on the property.

The dogs will remain at the fairgrounds for now, where they'll be checked out by vets and receive vaccinations and care..."  More

Pictures from Animal Rescue Corp FB page (graphic): here

Jun 23, 2010:  Dogs found dead at shelter


Union City police responded to the animal shelter on Sunday and found two dead dogs.

Someone called the police department around 2:40 p.m. Sunday to report a dog outside the fence at 311 North Fifth St. possibly suffering from a seizure.

According to the report, when the police arrived, a black puppy crawled out of a hole in the fence and walked up to the patrol unit.

No dog was found to be in distress outside the fence but, upon further inspection of the grounds, “it was evident that there was a dead dog inside one of the pens,” the report states.

Officers retrieved the key for the shelter from the police department office and contacted Police Chief Joe Garner, who responded to the scene. Once inside, the officers found several dog pens without any water and none had any food.

The report stated that the National Weather Service reported the temperature to be around 94 degrees with a heat index of around 104. A heat advisory had also been issued for the area.

Officers reported dispatch attempted to contact shelter manager Sarah Dodd of Hickman, Ky., and got no answer. Around 2:57 p.m., dispatch was able to reach Ms. Dodd’s mother, Shannon Lacewell (who runs Paws, Claws and More in Wingo, Ky.), who said she would have a volunteer meet officers at the shelter. Samantha Watson did arrive a short time later. And interim city manager Kathy Dillon was contacted by Garner and she also came to the shelter.

According to the report, after officers were able to get inside the trailer at the shelter, they found another puppy deceased inside a cage and more caged dogs did not have any food or water.

Ms. Lacewell arrived at the shelter and told police volunteer Tish Rutherford had been there at 1:15 p.m. and had fed and watered all animals.

She said the dogs turn over their food and water bowls constantly and that is why none of them had any water.

She also said the dead dog outside was from a litter that was infected with parvovirus and that the puppy inside the trailer had been sick for a while and was being treated with antibiotics. She said many of the young dogs that come to the shelter are infected with parvovirus and die while there.

Ms. Dodd did arrive at the shelter while officers were there and confirmed the statements made by Ms. Lacewell about the water bowls and the dead animals.

Ms. Dodd and Ms. Lacewell then gave all the animals water and removed the dead animals from the pens.

Ms. Dodd told police they almost always have volunteers working in shifts to try to make sure the dogs are checked about every two hours...." More

Nannie Johnson - Alabama

Dec 14, 2011:  Woman accused of hoarding dead dogs found not guilty

Nannie Johnson was found not guilty of animal cruelty by reason of mental defect at a hearing in Limestone County Tuesday morning.

Johnson, charged with 43 counts of animal cruelty, was accused of hoarding dozens of dead and live animals on her property.

Tuesday's hearing was to determine if she needed to be committed to a mental facility.

The prosecution and her attorney agreed previously that Johnson had a mental defect at the time of the crime brought on by a series of mini strokes.

Johnson has since been treated for that defect through the VA. A forensic psychologist testified that Johnson is now on medication and does not pose a threat to herself or the community as long as she maintains treatment.

At Tuesday's hearing, a state psychiatrist testified Johnson has been receiving treatment and medication for a severe mental disorder, that she is doing well, and does not need to be committed to a mental facility.

"We think that's a good thing. As a veteran, she suffers from mental illness, and we want her to get the treatment she needs," said Harlan Mitchell, Johnson's attorney.

"She's being allowed to return home. In the event that her medicine doesn't work, or her medical condition deteriorates, we'll be back in court," said Limestone County District Attorney, Brian Jones.

Johnson will continue her treatment through the VA. They will send a report to the Limestone County court system every 90 days..."  More & video

May 18, 2010: Trial set for woman accused of hoarding dead animals

A woman accused of hoarding dozens of dead and live animals on her property will go before a judge this summer.

Nannie Johnson's bench trial is scheduled for July 7th in Limestone County.

Investigators said Johnson had more than 40 dead dogs in a freezer at her Elkmont home.

Dozens more were found alive on the property.

Both prosecutors and the defense have asked the judge for a mental evaluation in this case..." More & video

Apr 15, 2010: Woman charged with animal cruelty to be evaluated

The family of an Elkmont woman charged with 43 counts of animal cruelty has sent her to a treatment facility for a psychological evaluation.

Limestone County District Attorney Kristi Valls on Wednesday said the state agreed with the action by 63-year-old Nannie Johnson's family.

Sheriff's department officials found 42 dead dogs in freezers and one dead in a kennel earlier this month at a puppy mill run by Johnson.

Authorities rescued 29 dogs, three of which have since died because they were malnourished.

Johnson's arraignment is set for May 9, but Valls said the date is contingent on the completion of her psychological evaluation..." More

Apr 6, 2010: Officers investigate illegal puppy mill

By Bobby Shuttleworth

Officials are investigating an illegal puppy mill where more than two dozen dead dogs were stored in a freezer.

Limestone County Sheriff's Investigator Eric King talked to suspect Nannie Johnson late Monday afternoon.

"I'd asked her about the number of dogs in the freezer, she said she hadn't had time to bury them," said King.

King said he also asked her why so many dogs died.

"She said, 'yea, something's wrong with it. The devil's killing them,'" King said..." More

Apr 6, 2010: Dogs confiscated from Limestone puppy mill are finding homes

By Bobby Shuttleworth

Several dogs confiscated from a puppy mill in Limestone County are beginning to find new homes. Phones at the Dog Pound in Athens where the dogs were taken have been ringing off the hook.

People have been calling and stopping by interested in giving these pitiful creatures a loving home, but the dogs have to be ready.

"We use a series of tests seeing if they are human aggressive to food aggressive to animal aggressive. And if we see problems in those areas we can work on those problems when we go through socialization steps," said Jim Lovell.

A dog that shows no signs of aggression will be a good pet, especially if the home includes children.

Lovell said each dog is different and problems vary. They are also trying to get these dogs on the road to good health.

"They don't have to have all their problems corrected before adoption," said Lovell. "We are basically talking with everybody who is adopting each animal and reviewing with them the necessities with every animal has and problems that animal had."

"Your heart breaks for them so you really want to touch out for them. I mean they can't tell you how much they are hurting, what they need. We're able to provide it so why not," said one person at the shelter to adopt a dog.

Each prospective owner will be given a very detailed evaluation of their new pet.

Limestone County deputies arrested 63-year-old Nannie Johnson for the suspected abuse..." More

Apr 5, 2010: Dozens of dead dogs found in woman's freezer

Limestone County authorities said an Elkmont woman was operating a puppy mill and keeping dead dogs in her freezer.

Sheriff's Department investigator Eric King said 63-year-old Nannie Johnson was charged with 43 counts of cruelty to animals after 43 dogs were found dead at her home on Friday.

King said one dog was dead in a kennel and the remainder were wrapped in plastic and stored in Johnson's freezer.

Officials say 29 dogs were found alive, but three have since died.

The surviving dogs are emaciated and suffer from parasites.

"She has, in the past, genuinely raised animals and has sold animals. I just don't know if she just became overwhelmed and unable to tend to the animals properly, but whatever the case it was pretty bizarre," said Stanley McNatt with the Sheriff's Department...." More

Kim Maggio, Perfect Paws - Frazier Park, CA

Oct 20, 2011:  

Frazier Park woman gets probation for animal cruelty

A Frazier Park woman was sentenced Thursday to three years probation and 240 hours of community service for animal cruelty.

Kim Maggio was arrested in February 2010 after numerous animals were found in what were described as deplorable conditions at her home on Elm Trail. The discovery was made by Kern County deputies who were evicting Maggio during a foreclosure.

Kern County Animal Control investigators found seven dogs, 12 cats and a rat living in the home, plus one small dead dog in a freezer.

"There was no fresh water for the animals," Lt. Dennis Smithson told Eyewitness News when Maggio was arrested last year.

Some of the animals legs were covered in feces. The house smelled of urine and feces to the point that it burned the eyes and throats of the officers, Smithson said.

Maggio claimed her home was a rescue operation.

She was convicted last month of 21 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty, which was a reduction from the original felony counts she faced..."  Link & video

Feb 9, 2010: Woman Denies Claims of Animal Abuse

By: Carol Ferguson

A woman denies that animals were kept in horrible conditions in her Frazier Park home.

Kim Maggio, 49, faces 20 charges of felony animal cruelty after cats, dogs and a rat were seized by officers serving an eviction notice. Maggio said she kept animals in the house as a rescue operation, but conditions were always humane, she said.

"I have 20 felony charges against me, and there's not one sick animal and not one emaciated animal," Maggio said from jail on Tuesday. "Everybody was well cared for."

Animal control officers had gone with Kern County Sheriff's deputies on Monday to the home on Elm Trail to post the eviction notice. Officers said they had been told there was a large number of animals at the home.

"There was dog feces on the floor, there was no fresh water for the animals," Lt. Dennis Smithson told Eyewitness News on Monday. "And you're familiar with the ammonia smell? That was really bad. And there were animals, the cats locked in one particular bedroom, and so that was pretty bad."..." More & Video

Inmate Name:	MAGGIO, KIMBERLY ANNE
Inmate Number:	SO1886039

Court Case:	** NONE **
Crime Case:	AC10-03
Date/Time Booked:	02/08/2010 01:51 PM
Arresting Agency:	OTHER SHERIFF OR COUNTY
Booked On:	OPEN CHARGES
Bail Amount:	$100,000.00
Anticipated release date for this booking:	** PENDING **
Next Hearing Date/Time:	02/10/2010 08:00 AM (set by Law Enforcement)
Next Hearing Location:	South Division - Taft - Div/Dept A

Charges:
# Counts	Type	Code/Section	Description
20	FELONY	PC 597(B)>FELONY

Feb 8, 2010: Woman faces 20 animal cruelty charges

By James Burger

A woman with connections to convicted animal abuser Cynthia Gudger was arrested Monday on animal abuse charges of her own.

Kim Maggio, 49, of Frazier Park was evicted from her home on Elm Trail just before 10 a.m. Monday as a result of a bank foreclosure, a Kern County Sheriff's Department report stated.

During the eviction, which was attended by Kern County Animal Control and Code Enforcement officers, seven dogs, 12 cats and one rat were found living inside the home in "deplorable" conditions without fresh water.

One dead dog was in a freezer.

Most of the living dogs were small breeds, according to Lt. Dennis Smithson of the Kern County Sheriff's Department, who was at the home Monday morning.

The sheriff's report states that some of the animals' legs were covered in feces.

Inside the home the stench of urine and feces was so strong that it burned officers eyes and throats, reports stated.

Smithson said they didn't expect to find the terrible conditions in the home.

"We knew there were going to be a lot of animals," he said.

Animal control and code enforcement officials were there to take custody of whatever animals were found.

What they found was an unsanitary environment.

"It was pretty bad," Smithson said. "There was dog feces; you had to walk pretty carefully to get around it. There was no water. I mean there were water dishes but they were filled with urine and dog feces and what might have originally been water."..." More

Feb 8, 2010: Frazier Park woman accused of animal cruelty

A woman was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty Monday after being evicted from her home.

Kern County Sheriff's deputies served an eviction notice on 49-year-old Kimberly Maggio, because her home on Elm Trail was being foreclosed, according to a sheriff's office news release.

Deputies had prior knowledge of a large number of animals living on the property, so they called county animal control and code compliance officials to assist with the eviction.

Animal control officers found seven dogs, 12 cats and one rat living in "deplorable conditions," according to the sheriff's office. The animals didn't have fresh water, some of the animals were covered in feces and the smell of excrement was so strong that it burned the eyes and throats of the authorities serving the eviction, they said.

One dead dog was also found in the freezer.

Maggio faces 20 possible counts of felony animal cruelty, and the animals were seized by animal control, the sheriff's office said..." More & video

Feb 8, 2010: Dog Found In Freezer During Eviction Search, 1 Arrested

A woman was arrested on 20 counts of felony animal cruelty charges after deputies said they found dogs, cats and a rat in the foreclosed home she was living in. They also said they found a dead dog in a freezer.On Monday around 9:45 a.m., the Sheriff’s Civil Section served an eviction in the 600 block of Elm Trail in Frazier Park. The eviction was the result of a bank foreclosure.The sheriff’s office had prior knowledge that the resident had a large number of animals in the residence. As a result, Animal Control and Code Compliance were asked to assist..." More

Glenda Marie Cagle & James Edward Cagle - Knoxville, Tennessee

Aug 25, 2010: Siblings charged in South Knox dog hoarding case accept plea deal

A pair of south Knoxville siblings accused in a dog hoarding case have pleaded guilty.

Glenda Marie Cagle and James Edward Cagle were charged with animal cruelty.

More than two dozen of them had to be put down, but the rest wererehabilitated and taken to rescue agencies or adopted into good homes. Animal rescue officials nicknamed the dogs the Tennessee Toe Hounds, because most of them had an extra toe.

As part of their plea deal, some of the charges against the Cagles were dropped or reduced. They will avoid jail time, as long as they abide by the court's orders. The judge ordered them not to own any animals for at least two years, and will have to seek counseling. Animal control will make home visits to ensure they are abiding by the judge's orders..." More

Jun 13, 2010: Hoarding a danger to people, animals

By Chloe White Kennedy

On April 22, animal control officers removed 76 dogs from a South Knoxville house on Neubert Springs Road. They had to wade through animal feces 6 inches to a foot deep inside to remove the animals, some of which had hidden behind wall panels.

Residents Glenda Marie Cagle, 64, and James Edward Cagle, 67, were charged with five counts each of aggravated animal cruelty. They are due in court July 13.

The house was condemned by a city codes enforcement inspector, and 29 of the 76 dogs were euthanized because they were too aggressive, suffered severe health problems or were too malnourished to be nursed back to health, according to Young-Williams Animal Center Executive Director Tim Adams.

The remaining 47 dogs have received veterinary care at the center and evaluations from local and

ASPCA animal behaviorists. Sixteen have been moved to the adoption floor. As of Friday, five had been adopted and nine faced residential training to prepare them for adoption..." More

May 13, 2010: Animal lovers walk fine line between rescue, addiction

By Amanda Greever

Sometimes people really just don’t know when to stop.

Let me use alcoholism as an example. For those battling the bottle, alcohol is a need. It might start small, but the victim keeps knocking back shots or drinks as if they were water. For an alcoholic, one drink is too many but 10 is never enough.

A couple of weeks back I saw a story on the news that left me in tears. More than 70 dogs were removed from a home in South Knoxville. About 30 of them had to be euthanized due to the treatment they’d received. The dogs were malnourished and about six inches of feces covered the floor..."" More

Apr 26, 2010: Son of accused Knoxville dog hoarder says father has reached out

By HANA KIM

The son of a man charged with animal cruelty for hoarding more than 70 dogs in South Knoxville said his father has reached out to him for help.

James Cagle, Jr. doesn't know how long his father, James Edward Cagle, and aunt, Glenda Marie Cagle, had been living in their house in deplorable conditions.

"Last couple of years I think he's not been associating with anyone," his son said.

He added that he's been estranged from his father for years until Sunday when his dad reached out to him for help.

"He was bawling in tears, grabbing me up, something he hasn't done in a while. It tore my heart out to see him so upset," his son said.

On Monday, his son was at the condemned home on Neubert Springs Road looking for anything worth saving before it's demolished..." More & video

Apr 25, 2010: Both suspects out on bond in Knoxville animal cruelty case

The brother and sister charged in a large animal cruelty investigation in Knoxville are both out on bond.

Deputies say James Cagle was released from the Knox County Detention Facility on Saturday.

His sister, Glenda Cagle, was released on bond Sunday night.

The two are facing felony charges after more than 75 dogs were seized from their home in South Knoxville Thursday..." More

Apr 23, 2010: Knoxville animal center begins rehabilitating rescued dogs

By JAMIE LYNN DROHAN

The majority of the dogs rescued from a brother and sister charged with animal cruelty remain at Young-Williams Animal Center in Knoxville Friday for rehabilitation.

Officials say they're not ready for adoption yet, but donations are being accepted.

Officers took more than 70 dogs from the home of Glenda Marie Cagle, 64, and her brother, James Edward Cagle, 67, in South Knoxville Thursday afternoon.

Officers unloaded the dogs at the animal center and veterinarians assessed their health in a triage set up to handle the large number.

Many of the 47 remaining dogs are in poor condition. Some have protruding bones or patches of fur missing..." More & video

Apr 22, 2010: 76 dogs removed from South Knoxville home, brother and sister charged

By MONA NAIR

A brother and sister were charged Thursday with several counts of felony animal cruelty after officers removed 76 dogs from their South Knoxville home over two days.

Glenda Marie Cagle, 64, and James Edward Cagle, 67, were arrested at different times Thursday at their home at 5412 Neubert Springs Road near Martin Mill Pike.

James Cagle was missing from the house Thursday afternoon, he returned in the evening and was taken into custody in the back yard without incident.

Police and animal control officers arrived at the home with a search warrant at 12:33 p.m. and started removing the dogs after receiving an anonymous tip from neighbors.

Officers couldn't open the door to the house because there was about a foot of dog feces in the way. Police said waste was six inches to 1.5 feet deep throughout the house. Very upset dogs also met them at the door.

As the dogs tried to escape, one was mauled and eaten by other dogs.

When officers were finally able to start removing the dogs, they got about 30 before they said Glenda Cagle came out wearing a bathrobe and slippers covered in feces.

Glenda Cagle insisted the dogs were healthy, and were fed one bag of dog food a day. When told about the dogs eating the one dog, she said, "Oh, they do that.".." More & video

Woman arrested after animal remains, feces found in home

Angel McCurdy

A 41-year-old Crestview woman was arrested June 29 on charges of causing cruel death, pain and suffering to animals and six counts of animal abandonment.

Animal control officers seized 16 cats, two kittens and four dogs from the home of Elizabeth Gail Moore. The officers told an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s deputy they believed the animals had been abandoned for a long period of time.

During the confiscation, the animal control officers found the skeletal remains of five animals — two inside the home and three outside the home, according to an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s report.

While the deputy was speaking with the PAWS officers, he saw four dogs inside the front yard confined inside a chain link fence. In another fence on the side of the home, he saw seven cats, an animal skull and one skeleton.

Inside a separate pen, the deputy saw another cat and skeleton.

Large amounts of feces, urine and trash were scattered throughout the house. The deputy also found nine more cats, two kittens and two more skeletal remains among the trash and feces on the floor, the report said..." More

SPCA: Dead dogs found in freezer of North Houston home during rescue

by Stacy Morrow

Precinct 1 Constables seized Tuesday more than 160 dogs who were cramped inside a small north Houston home, said SPCA spokeswoman Meera Nandlal.

“There were four dead dogs that were found as well, and they were in the freezer,” Nandlal said.

The SPCA assisted Precinct 1 Constables in rescuing the animals from the home after investigators said they received an anonymous tip.

“There were dogs, literally, everywhere inside the home,” Nandlal said. “There were animals all over, from the living room, to the kitchen, the bedrooms to the bathrooms.”.." More & video