Chickamauga, GA – A code enforcement complaint in Walker County led to the discovery of unsanitary living conditions for animals and the arrest of a local woman on multiple animal cruelty charges.
Renva Sue Gravitt, 58, has been charged with 22 counts of animal cruelty and 10 counts of failing to maintain control over animals in relation to rabies requirements. The charges follow an investigation at her residence on Gentry Road in Chickamauga.
The case began when a county code enforcement officer responded to a complaint about garbage on the property. During the inspection, the officer encountered several dogs living in poor conditions and called in animal control for assistance.
Animal control officers discovered 12 dogs and 10 chickens on the property, all living in what authorities described as unsanitary and hazardous conditions. Reports cited the presence of accumulated feces and urine, garbage, debris, lack of clean water, and poor ventilation in sheds where some of the dogs were confined.
Tyler Bishop, Walker County’s animal control director, said more than 40 animals had previously been removed from the same property. Gravitt has also been cited in the past for animals running loose.
Due to the severity of the conditions, the property was condemned by county officials. Bailey Clements, director of animal services, made the arrest.
Gravitt voluntarily surrendered all 10 chickens and two of the dogs to the Walker County Animal Shelter. The remaining 10 dogs are being held under a court order as the case proceeds.
If convicted on all charges, Gravitt could face up to 22 years in jail and $22,000 in fines.