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Written by: E. George
Published May 26, 2023 @ 8:40 PM ET
Warning: The following report describes violence against/neglect of animals.
SYCAMORE, Ga. – On April 16, 2023, a Turner Sheriff’s deputy responded to a Stanford Road residence to retrieve a dog trapped on the property. She said the canine was almost completely hairless with excessive sores and scabs on her body.
She noted the dog had “obviously and apparently been neglected for an extended period of time.” The following day, she learned the dog had been taken to the Sylvester Animal Clinic for treatment, and the owner was Rayana Alyssa Walker.
On April 19, 2023, the deputy traveled to Labelle Street and knocked on Walker’s front door. Walker said she and James Roy Elliot had been missing their dog, “Baby,” for several days, and then she saw her on a Turner County Office Facebook post.
She stated Baby suffered from “red mange since she was little.” She said she took her to “Tractor Supply in Tifton for medical treatment,” where she was told to give her Ivermectin medication daily.
Walker failed to produce any treatment documentation and said it might be difficult to find because she and Elliot were in the process of moving. She also could not provide her identification.
She explained that Baby would exit the property regularly (a violation) and was “run over twice in one day.” She said, “When the red mange gets bad, the dog would start bleeding if she moves just a little bit.”
Baby was transferred to Best Friends Humane Society and received continued treatment for her injuries and illnesses. Staff said she had difficulty eating, so they fed her many tiny meals throughout the day and administered four medications.
They voiced serious concern about the length of time the dog had been in poor health. Having worked with all kinds of animals for many years, the deputy stated, “This is one of the most extreme cases of neglect and suffering caused to an animal based on the omission of seeking proper medical attention… that I have ever seen.”
She added, “It is undeniable that the animal was and still is in much pain and has a long road to recovery.” 23-year-old Walker was arrested at the Labelle Street home on May 2, 2023, and transported to the Turner County Jail.
On May 9, 2023, deputies arrived at the residence and executed a warrant for 33-year-old Elliot. He told them, “Let’s just get this over with,” and they arrested him on the front porch in front of his mother.
They transported him to the Turner County Jail without incident. This case is pending in court, where Walker and Elliot face cruelty to animals charges.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
[NARRATIVE #1 on April 17, 2023]
On 04/17/2023, I, Deputy Kristie Carpenter, was notified that the owner of the said Canine was a Rayana Alyssa Walker ([REDACTED]; Ph. [REDACTED]) and that the dog was transported to the Sylvester Animal Clinic for Medical Treatment. I was unable to reach Walker by telephone.
On 04/19/2023, after somewhat of a wait at the front door, I was able to make contact with Walker at [60 BLOCK] Labelle St. in Sycamore, Ga. Walker shared with me that she and James Elliott (Ph. [REDACTED]) had been missing the dog for several days when she saw the post of “Baby” on our Turner County Office Facebook page and contacted the Sheriff’s Office.
She stated the dog had suffered from “Red Mange” since she was “little” (the dog is not around two/three years of age) and that she had been taken to Tractor Supply in Tifton for Medical Treatment where she was told to give the dog the medication Ivermectin every day.
When I asked Walker if she could produce any documentation showing where the dog had been given any sort of treatment, she said that she would try. She suggested that it may be difficult because her and Elliott were in the process of moving from a Carter Rd. residence and they “can’t go there right now”. She also was unable to produce an ID because she said it was locked up in a vehicle at the shop.
Walker stated that the dog would get off the property regularly (against County Ordinance) and that the dog was run over “twice in one day” on one occasion. She also said that when the “red mange” gets bad, the dog would start bleeding if she moves just a little bit.
I have seen the dog in person. She is nearly completely hairless with many sores and scabs on a large portion of her body. The dog has obviously and apparently been neglected for an extended period of time. I collected a copy of the dogs veterinarian records from the Sylvester Animal Clinic.
The dog was later transferred to Best Friends Humane Society where she is currently being cared for and receiving continued treatment and medications. The Humane Society Staff stated that the dog is on four medications. They also stated that she had trouble eating and they have had to make multiple/extra trips to the shelter to feed her smaller portions multiple times a day.
They voiced concern that the health of this dog has been poor for quite a while. This staff works with hundreds of animals per year and are considered a good source of knowledge and insight. I will seek an arrest warrant for Animal Cruelty Misdemeanor First offence for both Walker and Elliott as well as a search warrant of the premises where Walker and Elliott have been known to frequent or reside.
The property needs to be searched thoroughly for other animals (dead or alive; born or unborn) that may be in their possession and well as any veterinary records, medicines that may or may not have been used to attempt to treat the canine (whether they be intended for dogs or not) and chemicals that could be used to mask the odor of deceased animals, etc.
I have worked with animals of many kinds for many, many years. This is one of the most extreme cases of neglect and suffering caused to an animal based on the omission of seeking proper medical attention for an animal that I have ever seen. It is undeniable that the animal was and still is in much pain and has a long road to recovery.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on May 02, 2023]
On 05/02/2023, I completed a Warrant Service in Reference to Warrant #23-MW-163 M for Rayanna Alyssa Walker (Cruelty to Animals OCGA-16-12-4(B)). I was assisted by T-10 (Deputy Zachary Bailey) and T-14 (Rex Busbin). We arrived at [60 BLOCK] Labelle Ave, Sycamore, Ga. at approximately 15:29. After a wait at the door, Walker answered the door.
I placed her under arrest. We departed from the residence at approximately 15:33 with mileage 113,293. We arrived at the Turner County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 113,294. I released Walker and her property to the Turner County Jail Staff. I served Walker the aforementioned Warrant at approximately 16:26 on the same date.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #3 on May 09, 2023]
On 5/9/23 I, Deputy Paul Clements, along with Deputies Justin Partain, and Justin Moore went to [60 BLOCK] Labellle St in Sycamore, Ga to execute a warrant for James Elliott. Upon arriving at the residence at 2010 hours, I walked onto the front porch of the residence and was met by James and his mother.
James turned around and put his hands behind his back stating “lets just get this over with”. I then placed him in handcuffs and walked him to my vehicle placing him into the backseat. I then left for the Turner County Jail beginning mileage 103896 and ending mileage 103897 at arrival. I took him inside and informed him off his charges and upon checking my backseat for contraband and not finding any. I resumed my normal duties at 2027 hours.
[End of Narrative]
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