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Owner of animal sanctuary vows to fight cruelty charges made by volunteer

ELLIJAY, Ga. — For over a decade, the Build An Ark Animal Sanctuary in Gilmer County has been a favorite with families. The owner, Susan Littlejohn, takes in homeless animals, surrendered by owners who can no longer care for them.

“They don’t want them. We don’t turn any down,” Littlejohn said.

But last week, a sanctuary helper said she climbed through the window of a locked barn and made a grim discovery. She said it was the remains of rescued emu.

“I found her in the front of her stall,” volunteer Katrina Oliver said. “She was just bones and feathers. I went and check the other stall and found the remains of two pigs and (another) one (a)live. I found a goat that was very skinny. Nobody had food or water.” she said.

Oliver said she counted the remains of 10 animals. She took pictures of the scene, but Littlejohn rejects Oliver’s claims and the authenticity of the photos.

“We don’t know where those pictures came from,” Littlejohn said. “They didn’t come from my barn. And somebody put the carcass of an animal in the barn. We don’t know who or why.”

Gilmer County Animal Control was called to investigate. The director cited the sanctuary owner for two counts of animal cruelty.

“Inside the barn, we found a few animals there that were malnourished, and we did find one skeleton in one of the stalls,” Gilmer County Animal Control Director Daniel Laukka said.

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The sanctuary owner agreed to turn over two sheep and a goat to another animal sanctuary in Forsyth County.

“They were malnourished. Their skin was in bad condition. They just didn’t have the proper care,” said Cheryl Flanagan, founder of Save The Horses.

The charges could result in fines and up to a year in jail. Littlejohn said she will fight the charges in court.

“I have never mistreated an animal” she said.

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