Kaitlynn Clark

Name:
Clark, Kaitlynn Marie

Date of Booking:
10/14/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

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 October 14, 2025]

On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at approximately 1500 hours, I, Officer Colón, was dispatched to [50 BLOCK] River Street, Helen, Georgia, in reference to multiple dogs left inside a vehicle with no air conditioning or open windows. The Helen Fire Department had already responded and was attempting to gain access to the vehicle. Upon arrival, they observed that the vehicle doors were unlocked, and no forced entry was required.

Inside the vehicle, I observed three pit bull-type dogs. The vehicle was not running, and no food or water was present. A temperature reading taken inside the vehicle indicated it was approximately 105°F. The dogs appeared to be in distress, panting heavily and showing signs of dehydration. Officers and fire personnel provided water, which the dogs drank immediately.

A check of the vehicle’s Virginia license plate [REDACTED] revealed it was registered to Enterprise Rent-A-Car. No rental paperwork or owner contact information was located inside the vehicle. While searching the interior for any identifying information, I located a tablet containing a name and phone number. Attempts to contact the listed number were unsuccessful.

Animal Control was notified and responded to the scene. While awaiting their arrival, Officer J. Albino walked one of the dogs through the village area. A bystander approached Officer Albino and stated that the dogs belonged to her daughter. Officer Albino escorted the woman back to our location for verification.

Upon arrival, the woman stated that the dogs belonged to her daughter, identified as Kaitlynn Marie Clark (D.O.B. [REDACTED]). Ms. Clark was contacted and arrived shortly thereafter. Ms. Clark stated she had left the vehicle running with the air conditioning on but was unaware that the vehicle would automatically shut off after a period of time due to a safety feature.

Animal Control verified the dogs, well-being prior to their release, providing additional water and treats. She advised to let her know if there was anything else that we needed at this time.

After obtaining Ms. Clark’s statement, Cpl. Ingram contacted Chief Barrett and was advised to take Ms. Clark into custody for Animal Cruelty (O.C.G.A. 16-12-4), a misdemeanor offense. Ms. Clark was informed of the charge and placed under arrest without incident.

Prior to transport, Ms. Clark’s mother, who was on scene, was asked if she could take custody of the two children and three dogs. She agreed and advised she would transport them to her other daughter’s residence approximately two and a half hours away before returning to post bond for Ms. Clark.

Officers J. Albino and I assisted Ms. Clark’s mother in transferring personal items, children, and dogs from the one vehicle to the other vehicle. Once the transfer was complete, Cpl. Ingram transported Ms. Clark to the White County Detention Center for booking and processing.

Ms. Clark was found to have violated:

OCGA 16-12-4: A person commits the offense of cruelty to animals when he or she: Causes physical pain, suffering, or death to an animal by any unjustifiable act or omission; or Having intentionally exercised custody, control, possession, or ownership of an animal, fails to provide to such animal adequate food, water, sanitary conditions, or ventilation that is consistent with what a reasonable person of ordinary knowledge would believe is the normal requirement As Ms. Clark left her three dogs in the vehicle that was not running or had windows down. It was 105 degrees inside of the vehicle. With no water or food.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on October 14, 2025]

On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at approximately 1500 hours I, Corporal Ingram responded to the parking lot on Dye Street and Unicoi Street in reference to dogs locked in a vehicle.

When I arrived on scene, I was flagged down by the people who called it in. There were three (3) dogs inside of a black Ford expedition. The car was not running, and windows were rolled up, giving no ventilation to the dogs. There was also no water or food available to them. Helen Fire Department arrived on scene to unlock the vehicle so we could get the dogs out as they were showing signs of distress. When they unlocked it, they found the doors were already unlocked. Lt. Tyler Keyes used his thermal thermometer to see how hot the inside of the vehicle was. It showed 105 degrees. I advised dispatch to have animal control in route.

We got the dogs out and gave them water. I ran the tag through GCIC which came back as a rental from EAN Holdings. I contacted Chief Barrett who placed a phone call to the rental company to try and find information on who rented the vehicle. While she was on hold Officer Albino took one of the dogs on a walk on Main Street to attempt to find the owners. He was able to locate them at Two Tire Tavern. Lt. Keyes again checked the temperature inside the vehicle, and it showed 120 degrees.

When the owners showed up with Officer Albino I spoke with the driver, and owner of the dogs identified as Ms. Kaitlynn Clark (DOB [REDACTED]). She stated they were on the way home from a wedding and stopped in Helen to grab some lunch. She stated she left the car running. I explained to her that when I arrived on scene the car was not running, and the dogs were showing signs of distress. I also advised her that at the time of arrival it was 105 degrees in the vehicle. Ms. Clarks mother also showed up with Ms. Clarks two small children. I advised her she would need to take the dogs, and children as her daughter would be going to jail for Animal cruelty.

Ms. Clarks mother took the kids, and the dogs and advised she was going to go back to her other daughter’s house and wait until she could bond Ms. Clark out of jail. I explained to Ms. Clark she was being arrested for Animal Cruelty due to leaving her dogs inside her vehicle with no food, water, or ventilation. I asked Ms. Clark to step to the passenger side of my vehicle so I did not have to place her into handcuffs Infront of her children. She did so, I placed her in handcuffs, checking for fit, and double locked them. I placed Ms. Clark in the back of my patrol vehicle and transported her to the White County Jail where she was turned over to jail staff.

When I arrived back at the Police Department, Officer Colon had his warrant ready, and I advised him I would go serve the warrant for him so he could start on his report. I returned to the White County Jail and served Ms. Clark with her Warrant.

[End of Narrative]