‘It’s sick’: Animal advocates react after kennel workers charged in dog deaths
By Rian Stockett
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BUNCOMBE COUNTY, North Carolina (WLOS) — Four employees of a boarding and training kennel in Swannanoa are facing felony charges after an investigation into the death of two dogs.
According to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, Tiffany Dawn Jourdain, Brianne Michelle Hunt, Dianna Hope Hall and Lillian Nichole Sparks were employees of Inner Knowing Canine Connections and were charged in connection with the case.
As part of the investigation, they found that both dogs had no food in their gastrointestinal tracts and that they were severely dehydrated.
According to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, one of the dogs had been dead for an extended period of time, and other animals were found to have suffered from a lack of sustenance, resulting in severe weight loss.
All four suspects were charged with altering, stealing or destroying criminal evidence and conspiracy.
“If they didn’t know it was wrong, they wouldn’t try to conceal evidence,” Arledge said.
Sparks is charged with two counts of killing an animal by starvation. She’s also accused of intentionally depriving other animals of sustenance, resulting in severe weight loss.
According to arrest warrants, Jourdain is accused of hitting a dog in the face with a metal bowl, as well as kicking and hitting it with her hands while recording to train employees to use the same methods when training nonaggressive, docile dogs.
“It’s sick. There’s no credible training method where you abuse an animal,” Arledge said.
News 13 reached out to Inner Knowing Canine Connections and left a voicemail seeking a comment on the case. No response was received by publication time.
A viewer reached out with concerns that Tiffany Jourdain is involved with other dog care and training facilities, including another in North Carolina. A person who answered the phone at the North Carolina facility said Jourdain does not work there and that the business was purchased from her about 10 years ago.
Another facility in Florida, Positive Splash Dog Training, lists Jourdain as the owner. News 13 called the Florida facility and reached a voicemail message from “Tiffany with Positive Splash Dog Training.” News 13 left a message and has not yet heard back.
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