JESSICA RENAE WAGNER, of Always Faithful Animal Rescue, arrested on new animal cruelty charges

- Kentucky, USA -

On Monday, November 20, 2023, the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office arrested 28-years-old JESSICA RENAE WAGNER (pictured).

Many of you may remember her name from another animal cruelty case which Voice For Us reported on in August 2023.

In that case, which is still pending, WAGNER, along with 46-years-old AMY MARIE SMITH (also pictured), and 55-years-old KEVIN EUGENE SMITH, all associated with Always Faithful Animal Rescue, were charged in July 2023 with ninety-one (91) counts of second-degree cruelty to animals among other licensing and failure to vaccinate charges.

In relation to the recent arrest, WAGNER is facing forty-six (46) counts of complicity to commit animal cruelty.

On November 13, 2023, authorities executed a search warrant at a property on Harris School Road in Rineyville which was leased to the nonprofit Always Faithful Animal Rescue.

Officials found forty-five (45) dogs in cages without food and water. The cages were filled with urine and feces. Sadly, officials also found a deceased dog whose body was covered by a plastic child’s pool.

Hardin County Animal Care and Control removed the live dogs and Director Mike McNutt explained to The News-Enterprise: “These animals have been surrendered over to the shelter, and we are in the process of returning these pets back to their original facilities and locations.”

Seven of the forty-five dogs were identified by chip numbers to match dogs from the July case.

At this point it’s not clear whether AMY MARIE SMITH and KEVIN EUGENE SMITH are also involved in this case.

WAGNER was booked into the Hardin County Detention Center and released after posting a $5,000 bond.

McNutt said that the shelter is in need of dog food and puppy food as well as monetary donations. If you wish and can afford to help out, please click here. Thank you!

Authorities did not disclose the name of the deceased furbaby, so I took the liberty of naming him/her Evian for the tribute image. Should his/her given name be made public, I will rectify it accordingly.

Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.

Story on Voice For Us Facebook page

WAGNER’s mugshot shared from the Hardin County Detention Center.

#VoiceForUs #AnimalCruelty #crueldadanimal #animalslivesmatter #law #lawmakers #Kentucky #hardincounty #dogs #prosecutors #judges #deathpenaltyforanimalabusers #cruauteanimale #tierqualerei #Rineyville #Elizabethtown

AMY MARIE SMITH, KEVIN EUGENE SMITH, and JESSICA RENAE WAGNER, animal rescue staff, face charges

- Kentucky, USA -

Always Faithful Animal Rescue, an Elizabethtown-based nonprofit rescue, has been charged with ninety-one (91) counts of second-degree animal cruelty, thirty-one (31) counts of not licensing dogs with the county, and thirty-four (34) counts of animals not being vaccinated against rabies.

Following complaints made about the rescue, Hardin County Animal Care and Control officer Chris Silas responded to the facility on Hawkins Drive, on July 22, 2023.

Mike McNutt, Animal Care & Control Director, told WAVE the animals “were living in neglect and just wasn’t up to code.” He added: “You know it needs to be clean, food and water and clean cages.”

Mr. McNutt also explained to The New-Enterprise: “The animals were living in a neglectful situation, not up to code, but no life-threatening issues. There was no reason for us to go in and seize the animals. We are working with the county attorney to get everything up to code.”

Three people associated with the rescue are now facing charges: 46-years-old AMY MARIE SMITH (pictured), 55-years-old KEVIN EUGENE SMITH, and 28-years-old JESSICA RENAE WAGNER (also pictured).

According to Always Faithful Animal Rescue’s website, AMY SMITH is listed as the president and WAGNER as adopter, volunteer, and foster parent.

AMY MARIE SMITH spoke with The News-Enterprise and said that the charges are unfounded and will be dropped. She told the news agency that she offered to show ACO Silas the animals’ vaccination records and claimed “He didn’t check. That’s the thing. He never checked for vaccinations. He just said you can bring them to court. The thing is he never asked me. … So he’s charging me with something he never checked.” SMITH went on to say that ACO Silas is “out to get us” and has attacked the rescue “online for years”.

With regard to her title as president of the rescue, she said: “anyone can write that. The thing is he’s charging me, and I’m not even on board. I have nothing to do with the rescue. I just work here.”

According to The News-Enterprise, SMITH did not allow the news agency to enter the facility “which she said acts solely as a rescue and houses aggressive dogs.”

Mr. McNutt said the animals remain in the care of Always Faithful Animal Rescue.

Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.

Story on Voice For Us Facebook page

#VoiceForUs #animalcruelty #crueldadanimal #animalslivesmatter #law #lawmakers #kentucky #prosecutors #judges #deathpenaltyforanimalabusers #cruautéanimale #tierquälerei #hardincounty #rescue #nonprofit #elizabethtown