Leslie Ara Ayo, of Fairburn, was arrested and charged with eight counts of cruelty to animals for the November incident, Deputy Shannon Volkodav said. Ayo was also charged with giving false information (false reporting), Gwinnett County jail records show.
Ayo was hired to cut off the dew claws, cut the tails and give heartworm medication to eight newborn puppies, according to a police report obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Ayo's website claims that her breeding business has "a tradition of excellence and quality companion animals".
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| If Leslie Ayo is breeding this many types of dogs, she is a puppy mill. If not, she is a puppy broker |
On Nov. 18, 2013, Ayo arrived at Speed’s Deer Oaks Drive home and took the puppies into the kitchen, the police report states.
“She (Speed) advised that she left the room because she could not stand to see blood,” the report states. “…Speed advised while in a separate room she could hear the puppies screaming excessively.”
Speed’s 15-year-old grandson, who was in the kitchen with Ayo and the dogs, said it appeared Ayo was using "a tool similar to scissors" to cut the animals which were struggling and screaming in pain, according to police.
“Speed advised all of the dogs were extremely bloody and it appeared that nothing had been placed on the open wound to protect from foreign objects and to stop bleeding,” the report states.
Speed told Ayo the puppies' tails were cut too short, and Ayo allegedly apologized, according to police.
Speed noticed that one of the puppies was in "bad health" after Ayo butchered it. She took it to a vet clinic where it died. The veterinarian contacted Animal Control to report what Ayo had done as Georgia state law says that only a licensed veterinarian is permitted to dock dogs' tails.
Gwinnett County police went to Speed's home the very next day, on November 19, 2013, to investigate.
Cosmetic tail docking is a fairly common practice, but even in a more regulated form, is condemned by organizations like the American Veterinary Medical Association. The AVMA describes the process as “painful” and having “no obvious benefit” for the animal.
“The only benefit that appears to be derived from cosmetic tail docking of dogs is the owner’s impression of a pleasing appearance,” the group’s website said. “In the opinion of the AVMA, this is insufficient justification for performing a surgical procedure.”
Deputies served Ayo with eight Cruelty to Animals arrest warrants Thursday and she was transported to the Gwinnett County jail, where she was booked in Thursday afternoon. Her bond was set at $11,700.
She should have also been charged with practicing medicine without a license.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT LESLIE AYO
Complaint #1
Just want to let people know about my experience with Heaven's Gate Kennel (Owner Leslie Ayo). I bought a puppy from Ms. Ayo and on the way home from purchasing the puppy I had to take it to the vet. She was diagnosed with an UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTION. The next day we had to take her back to the vet and she was diagnosed with PNEUMONIA. The puppy had to stay at the vet for several days. Did the breeder pay the bill? NO! NOT A DIME! The health of the puppy was guaranteed on the contract which has been taken off of Ms. Ayo's website. Recently, my puppy was diagnosed with EPILEPSY. As of this past Friday she was diagnosed with HIP DYSPLASIA. She is passing on some "good" genes!!!! Please investigate before you buy.
Complaint #2
My son-in-law bought a rottie puppy from Leslie Ayo 20 days ago when the puppy was 15 weeks old. Leslie told my son-in-law that the puppy was 12 weeks old and had all shots up to date. The Rottie became sluggish last night with diarrhea and vomiting. My son-in-law just took that baby to the vet and it was diagnosed with parvo. Anyone who knows anything about parvo knows that this is most often a death sentenced for dogs. Now, here is the worst of this terrible breeders evilness. The puppy that my son-in-law purchased was ill when he bought the dog, because the vet just confirmed that it takes 14 days from exposure before the dog shows signs of parvo.
What is tragic is that we let this sick Rottie play with my English Mastiff puppy, not knowing the Rottie had the virus, and my puppy died last week of parvo. This breeder had the audacity to tell my son-in-law that she would not compensate for the expenses of a puppy that she sold sick. Well, we will see who gets the last word lady.
I will use every legal outlet that I have to expose her neglectful practices. My daughter described her home as a puppy mill with dogs of different breeds everywhere. I am about to contact Animal Control to report this woman and we will let them decide if these dogs are sick or neglected. I owe my son-in-law's little Rottie and my own baby, who is now dead because of her faulty shot records and her neglect of dogs being sold sick, to fight through legal channels to get this kennel closed and the other dogs rescued.
I intend to use every legal outlet including the media outlets to give my dog a voice after her death which came far too early. Clark Howard from our local news will be next so don't be surprised if you see Ms. Ayo on television being raided for running a puppy mill and selling sick dogs. Whoever else has been affected in negative ways by this women's neglectful kennel, please stand by because the law is on our side and I intend to use the law to bring this woman to justice on behalf of Treasure, my beautiful English Mastiff puppy.
Complaint #3
This Lady Leslie Ayo had the nerve to ask me for pictures of my current puppies then passed them off as hers to another breeder selling them for 4000 more than my asking price. She is a puppy Broker and puppy mill, she buys other peoples puppies then sells them to make a profit and a HUGE One! She needs to be put out of Business.
(AJC - Mar 13, 2014)
