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.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:56 AM EDT2013-05-23 04:56:30 GMT
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:42 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:42:27 GMT
What do major hotel chains, the IRS, and the business partner of a top rapper have in common? Court records show the National Conference of Black Mayors owes all of them money. Big money.
What do major hotel chains, the IRS, and the business partner of a top rapper have in common? Court records show the National Conference of Black Mayors owes all of them money. Big money.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:56:24 GMT
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap.
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap. If you have more than one child who needs braces, you have quite an expense on your hands—but FOX 5 I-Team reporter Dana Fowle found some ways to make it a little more manageable.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:12:38 GMT
The Douglas County district attorney used seized drug money to take support staff to a north Georgia training conference designed for prosecuting attorneys.
The Douglas County district attorney used seized drug money to take support staff to a north Georgia training conference designed for prosecuting attorneys. The FOX 5 I-Team followed along and found the four women didn't even register to attend the conference.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:44 AM EDT2013-05-20 10:44:05 GMT
Maria Boudet is a teen who had been living in foster care. She worked hard and earned a college scholarship. But the scholarship was revoked when Boudet's life-long wish was answered; she was adopted.
Maria Boudet is a teen who had been living in foster care. She worked hard and earned a college scholarship. But the scholarship was revoked when Boudet's life-long wish was answered; she was adopted.
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.
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Thursday, May 23 2013 8:31 AM EDT2013-05-23 12:31:23 GMT
Later today, Georgia State Rep. Tyrone Brooks is expected to speak publicly about his recent arrest on fraud and tax charges. Brooks was arraigned in federal court on Wednesday.
Later today, Georgia State Rep. Tyrone Brooks is expected to speak publicly about his recent arrest on fraud and tax charges. Brooks was arraigned in federal court on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:32 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:32:32 GMT
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It's also a great time to thank veterans for their service to our country—veterans just like World War II American hero Lew Fern.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:56 AM EDT2013-05-23 04:56:30 GMT
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:55:59 GMT
A local woman says she's trying to rebuild her life after storms hit this past weekend and destroyed her home.
A local woman says she's trying to rebuild her life after storms hit this past weekend and destroyed her home. Just one day later, some of her family members were in Oklahoma near where the tornado hit.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:50 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:50:14 GMT
FOX 5 has learned that two Newton County elementary school students are being treated for injuries after they were bitten by a fox while they were playing on a playground.
FOX 5 has learned that two Newton County elementary school students are being treated for injuries after they were bitten by a fox while they were playing on a playground. Both victims are 6-year-old boys who are in kindergarten at Rocky Plains Elementary School, where the attack happened.
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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