Two women have been arrested in Georgia where authorities are accusing them of performing illegal operations on cats and operating an unlicensed veterinary at an area home, Us Weekly has learned.
An arrest report shared with Us Weekly confirmed the allegations against Sarah Desiree Benefield, 37, and Camryn Breana Garrard, 27, who have both been charged with cruelty to animals and the unlawful practice of veterinary medicine.
Authorities claim one of the two women worked for a mobile veterinary clinic, and the other was a former employee. While the ladies had experience working with a veterinarian, police said they were not licensed to perform any operations on animals.
That did not stop them, though, police alleged. The pair were arrested not long after performing an operation on two cats at Benefield’s home in Newnan.
The initial complaint came from someone who also works for the mobile vet, police said.
“This case came to us from Douglas County and this agency investigated and brought the charges,” said Lieutenant Toby Nix of the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, who said the women illegally neutered the felines.
It is alleged in the arrest report the women had set up a makeshift operating area to perform the surgical procedures.
The operations were performed without the use of anesthesia, according to investigators.
The cats are alive after the illegal surgeries but did require follow-up care from a licensed veterinarian because of the women’s illicit actions.
The cats, named Calvin and Klein, also received vaccinations during their visits to Benefield’s house. The mobile veterinarian is said to have signed off on the shots.
However, that veterinarian told police they have no idea how their signature ended up on the vaccination orders.
Investigators looked over emails, text messages and photographs as they probed the incident, including images appearing to show injuries to the cats. One message the two exchanged featured photos that appear to show infected and open wounds near a cat’s hindquarters. Officials said the animals in the images have not been positively identified.
Authorities called to possible animal cruelty at a home in central Alabama discovered more than two dozen dead dogs in the backyard, as well as 24 living dogs inside the residence, a sheriff’s office said. The dogs found alive are now available for adoption, Us Weekly has learned. A “concerned citizen” called authorities about the […]
Calvin and Klein are said to be doing well after their treatment by people who attended veterinary school. Cops said that the cats suffered no permanent injuries.
Benefield and Garrard turned themselves into Coweta County authorities this week.
Investigators said that they tried to interview both women early on in the investigation, but that both declined to provide statements and requested legal counsel. Coweta County Animal Control was notified and assisted police with their investigation, which remains ongoing.
Police said they are looking to talk to any other pet owners who’ve taken their animals to Benefield and Garrard for treatment. They ask that those people call them at (770) 253-1502.
Both were released from jail, though bond information was not immediately available. Us Weekly tried and failed to get either woman on the phone for comment Tuesday, January 20.
If you know of or suspect animal abuse or neglect, you are urged to contact the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals through their website or call your local animal control officer.
