By Jeremy Pittari
MCNEILL — The woman who has been charged with seven counts of animal cruelty said she left her dogs in a friend’s care.
Alicia Goynes, 33 of McNeill, said she left to go on a family trip about two weeks ago and left her pets in another unnamed woman’s care. She said she called the woman Monday to get an update on the pets’ status and ask if the dogs needed more food. Goynes said she was told by the woman that the dogs did not need any more food.
Tuesday she called the woman again and she was told by the woman that it “looks like something got to two of the dogs,” Goynes said. Goynes said she later found out that the SPCA had been out to her home and found that the dogs had not been taken care of.
A deputy was sent out to the woman’s home and took a statement concerning the incident, Goynes said.
Goynes said she took care of the dogs like they were her children.
“I’m devastated by the fact that they were not properly taken care of,” Goynes said.
When asked if Goynes planned to file charges against the woman charged with the care of her dogs, she said she would first “find out what was going on”.
“I’m very upset she did not tend to my animals,” Goynes said.
Goynes said she holds the woman responsible for the improper care of her animals.
Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Shane Tucker said the department only has charges against Goynes and that the case will involve additional investigation.
The Sheriff’s department responded to a claim that the animals were not being taken care of Tuesday at a travel trailer parked behind a closed down gas station in McNeill. The deputy arrived to find two dead adult dogs, one dead puppy and four live dogs in poor health. The live dogs consisted of three puppies and an adult pitbull, all in poor health. The puppies were ultimately euthanized due to their inability to eat on their own and poor health. The pitbull is being held at the Picayune Animal Shelter. Goynes said she may be able to get the pitbull back if she appears before the Justice Court when she returns home on Tuesday.
