New McDuffie Co. Animal Shelter director looks to move past challenges

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The investigation into abuse claims on the McDuffie County Animal Shelter is now within the palms of the district lawyer.

It’s been eight months because the shelter closed its doorways to the general public. The state did discover discrepancies within the digital record-keeping of animals coming out and in of the shelter. However they didn’t discover proof of abuse.

With this ongoing investigation, the brand new animal companies director, Wendy Ivey, desires to maneuver the shelter in a distinct path.

We sat down along with her to find out how they wish to get previous these challenges.

“I really feel I’ve that have that already is aware of how we will form of develop how we will come collectively as a group,” she stated.

Ivey comes from being the animal companies director in Bulloch County. She felt referred to as to take this job.

“God did. I didn’t select that. He selected that for me. I simply obeyed and adopted,” she stated.

In Bulloch County, she constructed the animal companies division from a workforce of 1 to greater than 10. Constructing from the bottom up is one thing she should do once more.

She takes over after claims of neglect, abuse, mistreatment, and excessive animal cruelty shut the shelter down and investigated by the GBI, and has since been turned over to the district lawyer.

“I suppose naturally, it provides slightly little bit of strain, however I’m not intimidated by it. I do know who leads me so I’m assured, , in my expertise, and I’m assured that I’ll be outfitted to do precisely what I used to be introduced right here to do,” stated Ivey.

She’s been seeking to make adjustments to metropolis and county ordinances and modernize the best way McDuffie County will deal with animal companies. Different objectives are wanting to construct a brand new facility, add a humane enforcement division, and have packages to coach and get the group concerned.

She says they’re taking small steps to rebuild.

“We’re not slowing down. We’re gonna transfer ahead. It’s simply gonna take a while, and , reorganization of some issues and however we’re gonna get there,” stated Ivey.

The county has given us timelines up to now once they would’ve appreciated to reopen every little thing however determined to not do Friday, saying they need this carried out the fitting manner and never have something rushed.

Copyright 2023 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.