Corbin woman accused of allowing dogs to starve

Jennifer Medlin, a next door neighbor to Jennifer L. Karr, is now helping care for dogs authorities say Karr allowed to starve and go without water.

Freedom and Hope, two of the three dogs removed from a Keavy area home Friday night, have found a new life just across the road from where Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies say they found them chained on short leashes with no food or water.

The Beagle mixes, who were taken from Jennifer L. Karr’s home on Lakeside Road, are being cared for by Jennifer Medlin, one of Karr’s neighbors, while Karr, 36, of Corbin, is scheduled to appear in Laurel District Court Friday after she was cited for cruelty to animals.

Medlin said she and other neighbors knew the two dogs she is now fostering along with a third, were at the house, but didn’t know the conditions in which they were living until a picture appeared on Facebook.

Soon after the picture appeared, someone called Laurel County 911 to report the situation and Deputy Milton Storm went to investigate.

Public Affairs Officer Gilbert Acciardo said Storms one of the dogs on a chain measuring about 4 feet long, another one was on a chain that was about 2 feet long and the third dog was pinned in a cage on the back porch.

The dog now known as, "Freedom," was on the smaller chain. A healthy weight for Freedom would be about 25 pounds. Medlin said she weighs about 12 pounds. Her ribs and hip bones are visible, she is being treated for mange and is infested with ticks

"If she (Karr) had let it loose, it would have at least found food," Medlin said.

Acciardo said Karr admitted to deputies that the dogs appeared malnourished. As a result, Laurel County Animal Control was called to the scene and took the dogs. While they were being examined by the vet, Medlin said she was contacted and agreed to foster Freedom and Hope.

"They are very friendly," Medlin said. "They are not at all aggressive. Just a little skittish."

The dogs are on a special diet of boiled chicken and rice along with puppy food. In addition, they receive vitamin injections every week in an effort to get them back up to a normal weight.

Medlin said the goal is to find Freedom and Hope forever homes. Barring that, they will become part of her pack, which includes a number of strays and other dogs that have been abandoned near Laurel Lake.

"They won’t be without a home," Medlin said.

The third dog remains with Laurel County Animal Control.

Karr has been charged with second-degree cruelty to animals. Medlin said she did not understand why it was not first-degree cruelty to animals, given the circumstances.

Under Kentucky Law, first-degree cruelty to animals involves fighting the animals.

Second-degree cruelty to animals is a class A misdemeanor punishable with up to one year in the county jail and/or a fine of between $1,000 and $10,000.

Medlin is using the Facebook page, "Justice for Abused Animals," to spread the word about the incident and is organizing a rally at the Laurel County Judicial Center Friday when Karr is to appear in court.

In addition, she is asking members of the community to contact Laurel County Attorney J.L. Albright about the case.

"We want the court to order that this woman never be allowed to have an animal in her care again," Medlin said.

A fund has been established at Dr. Michael Culver’s veterinary office in Williamsburg for the continued care of Freedom and Hope. More information is available on the Facebook page, or by contacting Culver’s office, 549-5444.