Kentucky animal rescuer reports finding dogs left to die in shelter freezer, demands change

MOUNT VERNON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Protestors gathered outside the Rockcastle County Courthouse on Monday, demanding change, as Kentucky State Police opens an investigation into the county animal shelter.

On Aug. 22, Hailie Garcia, an animal rescuer, made a Facebook post that’s been shared far and wide recounting what she described as a “nightmare” at the Rockcastle County Animal Shelter. Thousands of people have shared the graphic images, videos, and descriptions.

Garcia wrote of filthy conditions, animals left in the extreme heat and freezing temperatures, mass euthanasia, missing animals, and deceased dogs left inside the allegedly disease-ridden kennels. But she said this isn’t a new issue.

“For years, rescuers and animal advocates have fought for change. For years, nothing has changed. In fact, it only seems to have gotten worse,” Garcia said. “Back in 2008, a local article exposed the shelter for placing live puppies in garbage bags and leaving them in a freezer to die. That was 17 years ago. Today, in 2025, similar horrific conditions appear to remain.”

Garcia said that on the morning of August 20, she made a similar discovery while at the shelter to see which animals she could secure for rescue.

“As I walked through, photographing animals to see who I could secure rescue for, I heard howling. It wasn’t coming from any of the outside kennels,” she wrote. “I followed the noise to the shelter’s outside back area, near the cat room, and then I heard it again. It was coming from the freezer—the same freezer where euthanized animals are stored. I didn’t know what to do, so I left to find help.”

“My heart automatically dropped when I opened the door. Inside, I found a dog on the cold floor, not even bagged. The body was not yet stiff. This dog had probably JUST died. Blood stained the floor and walls,” she described. “How many other times has this happened and nobody was around to hear the howling?”

After her discovery, Garcia launched a petition demanding the immediate termination of the shelter’s director, accountability, funding, and staff to bring humane conditions back to Rockcastle County. Since it’s garnered over 2,500 signatures.

The protest was initially going to be held outside the animal shelter. But when she showed up on Monday morning, Garcia said she was met by law enforcement, who said the shelter would be closed for the day and nobody would be allowed on the property.

We are having security cameras installed today at the animal shelter; as soon as they are up and going, the shelter will be open back up. Also the KSP has opened a investigation on the allegations that have been made

Judge Executive Howell Holbrook

Trooper Scottie Pennington confirmed the status of the investigation but said that it’s still in early stages.

Garcia said that she’ll be outside the courthouse all week to collect signatures for the petition.

“I want all laws, Kentucky animal laws to be followed. I want these animals to stop living in the conditions that they are, and I want them to have better change,” Garcia told FOX 56. “And if we can get enough citizens to stand up and demand that this stops, and change has to happen now, change may actually happen for once.”

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