Lexington, IN—According to Prosecutor David Sutter, a multi-agency investigation into allegations of animal neglect recently led to the arrest of Vickie Gorrell, 59, of Jefferson County. Gorrell appeared in Circuit Court Wednesday for an initial hearing on charges filed by Sutter.
After receiving a complaint regarding the animals in poor condition on January 6, 2020, Jefferson County Animal Control initiated an investigation and contacted the Indiana Board of Animal Health for assistance. On January 15 Jefferson County Animal Control Officer Paul Geyman, Dr. Katelyn Macy, the Indiana Board of Animal Health Field Veterinarian for District 9, and Matt Siedling, an Animal Specialist with the Indiana Board of Animal Health, visited the property to investigate the complaint.
At the initial visit, several concerns were documented. Investigators found 55 dogs present at the time of inspection, 12 of which were below normal body condition, including 2 dogs that were considered to be in immediate jeopardy and were impounded by law enforcement. In her report, Dr. Macy states, “The body condition of the thin to emaciated dogs indicates the dogs have not received adequate energy intake in the form of adequate food supply for some time.” The housing conditions for the animals were said to have contained mud and feces where the animals slept.
In addition to the dogs, there were pot-bellied pigs, chickens, a goat, and cats observed on the property. Some of the dogs were puppies and several of the female dogs were pregnant. Vickie Gorrell was identified as the owner of the animals on the property and was present during the evaluation.
The two dogs removed from the property were evaluated by a local veterinarian, who found they were emaciated and filthy in appearance. They were described as malnourished and dehydrated, and the vet determined the cause to most likely be due to owner neglect.
The State Vet prepared her written report on January 27. Based upon the information contained in the report and additional information obtained by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Detectives applied for and received a search warrant for the property. The search warrant was issued by the Jefferson Superior Court on February 3, 2020.
Upon receiving the warrant, Jefferson County Animal Control, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, the Indiana Board of Animal Health, the Jefferson County Animal Shelter, and the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office continued efforts to reach out to animal advocacy groups, animal shelters, and volunteers in order to help secure the necessary care and shelter for any additional animals found that were subject to the search warrant.
Monday, Gorrell was charged and arrested on allegations of two counts of Neglect of a Vertebrate Animal, based upon the condition of the two dogs that were removed on January 15, 2020.
