Name of Accused:
Heath, Jennifer Dawn
Date of Arrest:
06/27/2023
Charges for Arrest:
AGGRAVATED 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.]
On 06/23/2023 I was notified by Sky Atkins with Animal Control by phone call that he had taken possession of a dog (Betty) due to injuries to her leg and body and would need to be followed up on.
On 06/27/2023 I arrived at Animal Control to speak with Atkins. Atkins took me to the kennel that Betty was staying in. Betty is a black Pittbull type mix female dog. I observed Betty’s left side where I saw what appeared to be two shallow stab wounds near her rib cage. Betty’s right leg was injured so severely that Betty would not apply any pressure on her leg to walk. Atkins stated that they had gotten X-Rays done on Betty’s leg and her right femur was fractured.
There was also located rocks in Betty’s stomach. Betty is a 3 on the Purina Body Scale, meaning that Betty is too thin. Betty’s ribs were easily palpated and were visible from a distance with no fat. The tops of her lumbar vertebrae were visible and her pelvic bones were becoming prominent, Betty also showed obvious waist and abdominal tuck. From my experience and knowledge, I know that dogs will eat non-food items; ie, rocks, cans, plastic, and sometimes their own feces when being starved.
Atkins stated that he had the owner’s information. The female (Heath) was issued a previous citation by Animal Control in February in regards to the dogs. I was able to gather all the evidence that I needed to obtain (2) arrest warrants for Betty’s owners (Heath and Davis).
Upon arrival to the residence at approximately 1252 there was nobody at home. I took photographs of the property and outside home conditions. While walking the front side of the home, there was a bathroom window open that smelled of heavy feces and ammonia from urine build up. While taking photos there was a small brown male dog that appeared from underneath the home. This male dog (Juan) appeared to be healthy, but there was no food and water outside for him.
At this time of day it was approximately 89 degrees. Heath was currently on probation with Animal Control, therefore; they’re allowed to check the conditions of the dogs inside, or outside at any point in time while she is on probation. Officer Bohannon called Heath and she arrived on scene.
Heath allowed myself, [REDACTED] (building inspection) and Officer Atkins to walk through the house with her. Heath explained that DCFS had come to the residence on 06/23/2023 and told the family that could not stay in the house due to the conditions of the property. There were holes throughout the walls, tears in the floor, insulation being pulled from the walls and an extreme rat infestation.
Heath informed me that they have applied for another house, due to the landlord not willing to fix the issues that they are having to live in. I spoke with [REDACTED] and we both agreed that this home is in such bad conditions that the property will need to be condemned. [REDACTED] stated that he would be issuing the property owner citations. Heath also informed me that on 06/23/2023 she had to take her 2 year old son to the doctor from being bit by a rat.
While walking through the home, Officer Atkins and I both observed an Axe thrown into the wall. There were multiple knives, long and short, multiple fake guns inside of the dresser and thrown on the floor. Heath advised that this was her oldest son’s bedroom and that he has anger issues. Officer Atkins and I both noticed that the son’s right knuckles were torn up.
Officer Atkins told me that the boy stated the injuries were from punching the ground. When speaking with Heath she told me initially that the dog had been hit by a car. Heath then changed the story multiple times and stated that she thinks it was a “group of people” who came into the yard and injured the dog while it was on it’s runner. I informed Heath that the dog also had what appeared to be two stab wounds near her rib cage. Heath stated that she was aware of them but was not sure where they had come from.
Once DCFS arrived on scene, Heath’s sister was going to take the children until Davis and Heath were released from jail. The sister did not pass the back ground test due to her having an open case with DCFS. I then called Major Argo with the S/O and set a date and time for Davis to turn himself in so the children had a parent and were not placed into the DCFS System at this time.
Davis is set to turn himself in on 06/30/2023 by 1900 hours. Once the children went with Heath’s sister to the hotel to wait for Davis to arrive from work, Heath was placed into handcuffs and transported to the jail with no incident.
It should be noted that Officer Atkins and I informed Heath that her son appears to need counseling for his anger issues. Atkins and I both agreed that the injuries sustained to Betty looked as if someone had kicked her leg at and angle. Betty’s leg will have to be amputated, and Betty is expected to pass the rocks from her stomach at this time.
Handcuffs were properly fitted and double locked.
Backseat was checked and cleared prior and after transport.
[End of Narrative]
