Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

Warrants issued for pet sitter accused of leaving dogs to starve to death

Lucky was down to skin and bones by the time he was discovered at an empty house in Smyrna. Photo: courtesy Justine Stinnett
Lucky was down to skin and bones by the time he was discovered at an empty house in Smyrna. Photo: courtesy Justine Stinnett
By Raisa Habersham
June 2, 2017

A pet sitter accused of leaving to two dogs to starve to death faces neglect and animal cruelty charges, Cobb County police confirmed Thursday.

MORE: Starving Smyrna dog prompts social media uproar

Ashley Marie Davis left the two dogs, Lucky and Simpson, locked in a Smyrna home in December, police said. The blind American bulldog mix Simpson and the bare-boned Lucky were found by pet rescue advocate Justine Stinnett, who posted the discovery onto Instagram.

The post was shared nearly 67,000 times on Facebook, leading users to donate more than $15,000 to veterinary costs.

In a December interview, Stinnett said Davis moved to Tennessee and left the dogs to starve at the home. Davis’ whereabouts were not known late Thursday.

She faces two counts each of aggravated cruelty to animals and abandonment of a domesticated animal.

In other news:

Police canvassed the neighborhood around Oakland City Park, asking neighbors if they had any information.

About the Author

Raisa Habersham is the Intown Atlanta hyperlocal reporter for The Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

More Stories

Keep Reading

Gwinnett County police are investigating after two people were found dead inside a home Tuesday. (Courtesy of Gwinnett County Police Department)

Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department

BREAKING

2 found dead after domestic incident inside Gwinnett home, police say

An investigation is underway after a man and a woman were found dead inside a Gwinnett County home on Tuesday, authorities said.

Crashes kill 12 on Georgia roads during holiday weekend, down from 2024

Eleven people died on Georgia roads over the long holiday weekend, according to the Department of Public Safety.

Atlanta Publix sells ticket for $1M Powerball winner; next jackpot is $775M

No one matched all six numbers but matching five numbers netted a $1 million prize.

The Latest

Investigators said they believe a driver fell asleep at the wheel, left the road and rolled a box truck, according to the Georgia State Patrol. The driver survived. (Georgia Department of Public Safety)

Credit: Georgia Department of Public Safety

Crashes kill 12 on Georgia roads during holiday weekend, down from 2024

BREAKING

2 found dead after domestic incident inside Gwinnett home, police say

Atlanta Publix sells ticket for $1M Powerball winner; next jackpot is $775M

Featured

Austin Walters died from an overdose in 2021 after taking a Xanax pill laced with fentanyl, his father said. A new law named after Austin and aimed at preventing deaths from fentanyl has resulted in its first convictions in Georgia, prosecutors said. (Family photo)

Credit: Family photo

A 30-year-old’s overdose sparked a new law. Now courts are testing how far it can go.

Austin’s Law, passed in 2024, is leading to convictions of fentanyl dealers after a father’s fight for justice following his son’s overdose death.

Jared Curtis isn’t the only Georgia football storyline to watch on signing day

What will National Signing Day look like? It is starting to materialize significant storylines.

Search for inmate who escaped from Grady hospital enters second day

Timothy Shane is accused of stealing an SUV and then crashing it during the getaway, according to authorities.