Two women have been taken into custody in the US state of Georgia following disturbing allegations that they performed surgical procedures on cats without a licence inside a private residence.
Arrests and Charges Filed
Camryn Garrard, 27, and Sarah Benefield, 37, were arrested and charged with cruelty to animals and the unlawful practice of veterinary medicine. The Coweta County Sheriff's Office confirmed the pair turned themselves in this week and were booked into the Coweta County Jail.
The investigation was launched after Douglas County Animal Control received a complaint on 16 December. The tip alleged the two women had neutered two male cats at Benefield's home in Newnan, Georgia.
Shocking Allegations of Unlicensed Procedures
Authorities stated the surgeries may have been conducted without any anaesthesia, a claim central to the animal cruelty charges. At the time of the alleged incidents, Garrard was employed by West Georgia Mobile Vet. Benefield was a former employee of the same practice.
When interviewed, the veterinarian in charge of the mobile clinic told investigators he had no knowledge of any surgeries being performed by his staff. He also denied signing rabies vaccination paperwork for the cats involved, named Calvin and Klein, despite official records showing the animals received shots under his name.
Recovery and Ongoing Investigation
The two cats required follow-up care from properly licensed veterinarians. Fortunately, authorities told Fox5Atlanta that both felines have since recovered and are not believed to have suffered permanent physical injuries.
The case highlights the severe risks of seeking veterinary care from unqualified individuals. The investigation remains active as officials piece together the full extent of the alleged illegal activities.
