DeLand, FL - After public backlash regarding the recent seizure of animals from the Journey's End Animal Sanctuary, the Volusia Sheriff's Office speaks out.
The message came in the way of a video featuring Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood, Animal Services Director Adam Leath, Field Supervisor Alicia Dease and a paralyzed female dog named Daisy, who was supposedly one of the animals taken from the shelter.
"When the public brings to our attention the concerns that were brought to light through volunteers and employees of Journey's End Animal Sanctuary, we have a duty to act," said Leath.
According to Leath, throughout a six-month investigation that was carried out on Journey's End, investigators found many animals that weren't receiving proper medical care, emaciated animals, deceased animals and a "lack of veterinarian oversight" for the number of animals on the property.
"Animal Services took this information seriously," said Leath. "We had the obligation to act and immediately intervene on behalf of these animal victims."
Sheriff Chitwood added to Leath's comments, saying that there was misinformation: "You gotta look at the facts."
"There are other animals there with respiratory infections, with parasites... that's not what that rescue is about," said Chitwood. "And while we're not saying the 92-year-old woman who ran the shelter is a bad person, this is a case where too much love and too much compassion for the animals was actually detrimental, they were not receiving the proper attention or medical care."
The Sheriff also responded to public criticism over deputies in the investigation on Facebook, saying: "While I understand everyone's passionate about this, I'm just asking you look at the facts instead of attacking the deputies who, by just showing up and doing their jobs, allowed Animal Services to do theirs."
Following Chitwood's statement, Leath urged viewers and the public to review the documents on the Journey's End investigation themselves. You can click here to review all of the documents.
