By Randy Travis, FOX 5 I-Team reporter - bio | email
RABUN COUNTY, Ga. -
The Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter board of directors voted unanimously on Thursday to fire the woman caught by the FOX 5 I-Team lying to donors.
A former Boggs Mountain employee told FOX 5's I-Team that the shelter's director, Lowanda "Peanut" Kilby, deceived pet lovers through a program called Lucky Dogs. In the program, customers paid at least $100 to ensure that their donated dogs and cats would not be euthanized. However, the I-Team obtained records showing a dozen such animals killed at Boggs Mountain since May.
Boggs temporarily closed after the I-Team caught director Kilby lying about what really happens to some animals put into the Lucky Dog program.
The GBI and local authorities have opened a criminal probe.
The state Department of Agriculture counted 109 dogs or cats at Boggs, so they gave immediate permission for them to be transferred to legitimate rescue groups so they could find good homes. That means for many of them, it really was their lucky day.
"We knew with what they have going on, they wouldn't have time with nine puppies, that's a lot for them to care of, considering they have as many dogs as they do now," Jaime Henry of the Chester County Animal Control.
Chester County Animal Control originally transferred a black lab and nine puppies to Boggs earlier this month, sold on the shelter's supposed no-kill policy. The South Carolina county shelter says they've already found foster homes for the animals.
FOX 5 saw others retrieve dogs or cats from Boggs as well.
The chairperson of the Boggs board of directors, Penny Burkitt, also showed up as the I-Team was taping. A whistleblower who alerted the Fox5 I-Team says she originally told Burkitt about troubles with director Kilby, but the board didn't announce an investigation until our stories created an international uproar. People from across the United States and other countries were stunned by the audacity of what we uncovered.
Burkitt has now resigned from the board.
In her resignation letter, Burkitt said she hopes that "as a result of my resignation that the organization can move forward and heal in a more expeditious path."
In the meantime, volunteers spent the day at the now-closed shelter making sure that the animals left behind get regular walks and loving attention.
"I do think there are a lot of good people still there and hopefully they can turn it back around, I really do. And in the future, I hope that we can work with them again, but it will be a while and they'll have to prove to us that they can do what's proper," said Henry.
Protesters are still planning a big rally Saturday at noon at the Rabun County Courthouse in Clayton. They hope to help donors find out whether the animals Boggs Mountain promised were adopted to other homes are really still alive.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:31 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:31:42 GMT
For decades, Atlantans have woken up to Tom Sullivan on their radios. But you might not know that he's also somewhat of an expert eBay seller, and he's got quite a story to tell.
For decades, Atlantans have woken up to Tom Sullivan on their radios. But you might not know that he's also somewhat of an expert eBay seller, and he's got quite a story to tell.
The FOX 5 I-Team found a pattern of payments and perks to one family by the local district attorney's office, and it's a pattern that has critics crying favoritism.
The FOX 5 I-Team found a pattern of payments and perks to one family by the local district attorney's office, and it's a pattern that has critics crying favoritism.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 10:32 PM EDT2013-05-16 02:32:39 GMT
A local man says Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Reed's ex-girlfriend got him fired from his city job. The man told the FOX 5 I-Team about the federal whistleblower lawsuit he's filed and why he wants the city to pay up.
A local man says Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Reed's ex-girlfriend got him fired from his city job. The man told the FOX 5 I-Team about the federal whistleblower lawsuit he's filed and why he wants the city to pay up.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 6:39 AM EDT2013-05-15 10:39:34 GMT
Summer is a break for kids, but you still need to keep them busy. So you sign them up for camp, hoping to keep the kids entertained at a safe camp and all at an affordable price.
Summer is a break for kids, but you still need to keep them busy. So you sign them up for camp, hoping to keep the kids entertained at a safe camp and all at an affordable price.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 5:04 AM EDT2013-05-15 09:04:58 GMT
The amount of money many of us pay in taxes in a given year is often times larger than any purchase we'd make. Where does that really money go? Well, there is a way to find out.
The amount of money many of us pay in taxes in a given year is often times larger than any purchase we'd make. Where does that really money go? Well, there is a way to find out.
Monday, May 13 2013 10:41 PM EDT2013-05-14 02:41:06 GMT
Some $5 billion in Medicare money each year goes to pay for ambulance rides to a doctor. An industry insider claims a lot of those rides are a waste of your tax dollars.
Some $5 billion in Medicare money each year goes to pay for ambulance rides to a doctor. An industry insider claims a lot of those rides are a waste of your tax dollars.
Monday, May 13 2013 6:56 AM EDT2013-05-13 10:56:00 GMT
It's pretty normal these days when you're apartment hunting to be asked to pay an application fee. Those fees can be pretty steep, and can be at least $50 for every application.
It's pretty normal these days when you're apartment hunting to be asked to pay an application fee. Those fees can be pretty steep, and can be at least $50 for every application.
Monday, May 13 2013 6:48 AM EDT2013-05-13 10:48:33 GMT
We're always talking about the benefits of good credit when you make a big purchase. But, what if you don't have good credit and still need to buy a car?
We're always talking about the benefits of good credit when you make a big purchase. But, what if you don't have good credit and still need to buy a car?
Friday, May 10 2013 8:24 AM EDT2013-05-10 12:24:28 GMT
There is a businessman in metro Atlanta making quite a name for himself for computer repairs. But not for his great work, but rather for work that never gets done.
There is a businessman in metro Atlanta making quite a name for himself for computer repairs. But not for his great work, but rather for work that never gets done.
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Sunday, May 19 2013 7:24 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:24:30 GMT
Rising flood waters trapped horses inside a Sandy Springs stable on Sunday afternoon. Rescue teams were called to Summit Equestrian Solutions on River Run around 4 p.m.
Rising flood waters trapped horses inside a Sandy Springs stable on Sunday afternoon. Rescue teams were called to Summit Equestrian Solutions on River Run around 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:10 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:10:38 GMT
On a day filled with nasty storms and heavy rains, there is a bright spot. A Suwanee police officer is being credited with saving the life of a baby bunny that was swept away by flood waters.
On a day filled with nasty storms and heavy rains, there is a bright spot. A Suwanee police officer is being credited with saving the life of a baby bunny that was swept away by flood waters during Sunday's downpour.
Sunday, May 19 2013 2:00 PM EDT2013-05-19 18:00:39 GMT
President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of soggy graduates and guests at Morehouse College's spring commencement ceremony on Sunday.
President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of soggy graduates and guests at Morehouse College's spring commencement ceremony on Sunday, telling graduates to take the power of their example-- as black men graduating from college-- and use it to improve people's lives.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:53 PM EDT2013-05-19 17:53:40 GMT
President Barack Obama addressed graduates at Morehouse College's commencement ceremony in Atlanta on Sunday.
President Barack Obama addressed graduates at Morehouse College's commencement ceremony in Atlanta on Sunday, marking the first time a sitting president has made a commencement address in Georgia since 1938. See photos from his visit to Atlanta here!
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:09 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:09:05 GMT
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
Lucky Dog Investigation: More FOX 5 I-Team CoverageMore>>
Monday, February 18 2013 4:04 PM EST2013-02-18 21:04:17 GMT
People upset about the practices at the Boggs Mountain Animal Shelter were expected to attend a Rabun County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday.
People upset about the practices at the Boggs Mountain Animal Shelter were expected to attend a Rabun County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday.
Pet owners from hundreds of miles away drive to a small humane society in the north Georgia mountains because they think they're saving lives, but an undercover Fox5 I-Team investigation found exactly the opposite.
Pet owners from hundreds of miles away drive to a small humane society in the north Georgia mountains because they think they're saving lives, but an undercover Fox5 I-Team investigation found exactly the opposite.
Monday, February 18 2013 4:01 PM EST2013-02-18 21:01:01 GMT
Dozens turned out at the Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter Saturday, angry over allegations the FOX 5 I-Team exposed earlier this month regarding their "Lucky Dog" program.
Dozens turned out at the Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter Saturday, angry over allegations the FOX 5 I-Team exposed earlier this month regarding their "Lucky Dog" program.
Monday, February 18 2013 4:01 PM EST2013-02-18 21:01:01 GMT
The Boggs Mountain Board of Directors is hoping the public will give them a second chance after a FOX 5 I-Team investigation.
The Boggs Mountain Board of Directors is hoping the public will give them a second chance after a FOX 5 I-Team investigation caught the shelter manager secretly allowing the killing of dogs she promised would be adopted.
Monday, February 18 2013 4:01 PM EST2013-02-18 21:01:01 GMT
The board of directors at Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter called an emergency meeting on Friday after an I-Team investigation alleged that no-kill pets were euthanized.
The board of directors at Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter called an emergency meeting on Friday after an I-Team investigation alleged that no-kill pets were euthanized.
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