The Rabun County woman at the center of a GBI animal cruelty investigation struggled for years with money problems.
It's just one of many new developments in an I-Team investigation that exposed how Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter killed dogs and cats while deceiving donors who gave cash thinking the animals had really been adopted.
Reputation means a lot to people in the mountain community of Rabun County. They even debated whether they should mark the 40th anniversary of the filming of the movie "Deliverance" because of the image it portrayed. But for many people this latest controversy is even more disturbing.
"We've all been very supportive and to hear something like this happening is unbelievable. Unbelievable," said Sue Willis, the owner of Grapes and Beans.
Everyone in the community thought highly of Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter, a supposed no-kill operation that rescued dogs and cats not just from Rabun County, but from shelters and pet owners across the southeast who just couldn't care for their animals any longer.
But a whistleblower told FOX 5's I-Team that much of Boggs Mountain's no-kill reputation was a lie, with more than 100 dogs or cats euthanized just since May. Even worse, some of those dead animals were supposed to be saved through the "Lucky Dog" program. Owners paid at least $100 to guarantee their pets would not be put to sleep. Boggs even sent deceptive emails or cards, that falsely assured donors their "Lucky Dog" had a wonderful home.
When we showed Boggs director Peanut Kilby the euthanasia files for all those dead "Lucky Dogs," she first pointed out the records indicated that Rabun County Animal Control did the euthanasia. What she clearly didn't want us to know is that she was the director of both. The Boggs Mountain board put Kilby on indefinite paid leave until they could do their own investigation. The GBI dispatched two agents to start a criminal case.
While our story stunned this quiet retirement community, it also spread across the country. Donors wondered what really happened to the animal they brought to Boggs Mountain.
Others created a Facebook page "Lost Dogs of Boggs" in hopes of confirming those "Lucky Dogs" really did find wonderful homes.
Meanwhile, other rescue groups are reviewing their own dealings with Boggs Mountain. Animal rescuer Piper Hill told Rabun County commissioners about an attempt to send four dogs from Henry County Animal Control to Boggs Mountain. Someone had donated $500 to help with the adoption. But when the Henry County folks became suspicious of Peanut Kilby, they asked for the dogs -- and the money -- to be returned.
"I was in the office when they asked for the money back and Peanut was on the phone and she said that the money was gone already. And then the question was, ‘What do you mean the money's gone? We just PayPaled it to you. Where did it go,'" said Hill.
She says Peanut Kilby finally gave back some of the money.
"It was a personal check," said Hill.
The FOX 5 I-Team has discovered evidence that suspended director Kilby struggled with money problems. According to court files, local merchants and the county tax office sued and filed criminal charges against her multiple times for writing bad checks -- debts totaling more than $11,000.
Records show she ultimately made good on what she owed and the charges were dropped.
Finally, there's this: the woman who was hired to run a shelter that boasted its no-kill policy once faced an animal cruelty charge herself. Twelve years ago, Kilby admitted shooting someone's hunting dog that had come onto her property. She was arrested, but a Rabun County grand jury decided not to prosecute.
Now she faces a much larger criminal case in a community that thought it knew what was really going on inside the shelter's walls.
Animal lovers will be demonstrating against the Boggs Mountain Animal Shelter at noon on Saturday in front of the courthouse in Clayton in Rabun County.
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.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 10:32 PM EDT2013-05-16 02:32:39 GMT
A local man says Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Reed's ex-girlfriend got him fired from his city job. The man told the FOX 5 I-Team about the federal whistleblower lawsuit he's filed and why he wants the city to pay up.
A local man says Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Reed's ex-girlfriend got him fired from his city job. The man told the FOX 5 I-Team about the federal whistleblower lawsuit he's filed and why he wants the city to pay up.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 6:39 AM EDT2013-05-15 10:39:34 GMT
Summer is a break for kids, but you still need to keep them busy. So you sign them up for camp, hoping to keep the kids entertained at a safe camp and all at an affordable price.
Summer is a break for kids, but you still need to keep them busy. So you sign them up for camp, hoping to keep the kids entertained at a safe camp and all at an affordable price.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 5:04 AM EDT2013-05-15 09:04:58 GMT
The amount of money many of us pay in taxes in a given year is often times larger than any purchase we'd make. Where does that really money go? Well, there is a way to find out.
The amount of money many of us pay in taxes in a given year is often times larger than any purchase we'd make. Where does that really money go? Well, there is a way to find out.
Monday, May 13 2013 10:41 PM EDT2013-05-14 02:41:06 GMT
Some $5 billion in Medicare money each year goes to pay for ambulance rides to a doctor. An industry insider claims a lot of those rides are a waste of your tax dollars.
Some $5 billion in Medicare money each year goes to pay for ambulance rides to a doctor. An industry insider claims a lot of those rides are a waste of your tax dollars.
Monday, May 13 2013 6:56 AM EDT2013-05-13 10:56:00 GMT
It's pretty normal these days when you're apartment hunting to be asked to pay an application fee. Those fees can be pretty steep, and can be at least $50 for every application.
It's pretty normal these days when you're apartment hunting to be asked to pay an application fee. Those fees can be pretty steep, and can be at least $50 for every application.
Monday, May 13 2013 6:48 AM EDT2013-05-13 10:48:33 GMT
We're always talking about the benefits of good credit when you make a big purchase. But, what if you don't have good credit and still need to buy a car?
We're always talking about the benefits of good credit when you make a big purchase. But, what if you don't have good credit and still need to buy a car?
Friday, May 10 2013 8:24 AM EDT2013-05-10 12:24:28 GMT
There is a businessman in metro Atlanta making quite a name for himself for computer repairs. But not for his great work, but rather for work that never gets done.
There is a businessman in metro Atlanta making quite a name for himself for computer repairs. But not for his great work, but rather for work that never gets done.
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Lucky Dog Investigation: More FOX 5 I-Team CoverageMore>>
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.
