Guyton woman will be charged
A woman has been identified as a suspect in a cruelty to animals investigation being conducted by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office.
Jennifer Scruggs, 37, of Guyton, has an active warrant for failure to appear, said Sheriff’s Office Spokesman David Ehsanipoor.
She will have additional warrants for her arrest today for cruelty to animals, abandonment of animals, and improper disposal of dead animals, he said.
The investigation began yesterday afternoon when deputies were called to a residence in the 400 block of Ga. 17 near Guyton.
Witnesses said the residence had been abandoned for at least two weeks and there were no signs of the homeowner.
Deputies could smell the deceased animals from outside the house. Inside, they found 26 live animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, reptiles and birds.
Four animals were dead – three cats and a rabbit.
Ehsanipoor said the animals were left in “deplorable” conditions with no food or water.
The smell in the house was so strong that deputies had to use respirators.
The surviving animals were taken to the Effingham County animal shelter.