Summerville Vet Office Clarifies Misreporting in Elsberry Investigation

The Summerville Vet Office addressed confusion surrounding the case of Kodak Ragland, a dog involved in a controversy with Chattooga County Animal Control. As part of an investigation by Sole Commissioner Blake Elsberry, inconsistencies emerged between reports from Animal Control and the emergency vet in Rome, prompting the Summerville Vet Office to issue a public statement.

Discrepancies in Elsberry’s Investigation

Included in Elsberry’s investigation was a report from the emergency vet in Rome indicating that a dog was euthanized and tested for rabies on September 24, 2024. The report implied Kodak was the euthanized dog as it was part of Elsberry’s investigation. 

Ted Needham, CFO of the Summerville Vet Office, speaking on behalf of Dr. Bridget Hopkins and the entire staff at Summerville Vet, clarified that Kodak was never tested for rabies:

–“If we had done a rabies test, we would have had to decapitate him. That did not happen,” Needham confirmed.

–He reiterated, “We did not perform a rabies test on Kodak.”

–Kodak was euthanized at 2:30 PM on September 25, 2024.

Lack of Communication on Aggressive Behavior

The vet staff revealed they were not informed that Kodak had killed another dog at the shelter.

Needham stated, “If we had known that Kodak was involved in such an aggressive incident, we would have taken extra precautions to protect our employees.”

The vet staff only learned about Kodak’s attack during a meeting on October 7 with Commissioner Elsberry, Animal Control Director Mark Finster, and the Summerville Vet team at the Commissioner’s Office. This meeting and new information came 12 days after Kodak was euthanized.

Misinformation Given to Kodak’s Owner

The Summerville Vet Office reported that Payton, Kodak’s owner, visited the office looking for him and they told her to go to the animal shelter. 

Vet staff stated that Finster was asked to tell Payton the truth—that Kodak had been euthanized—but he instead told her Kodak had escaped.

A video Payton posted on Facebook shows her exchange with Finster, during which she was told Kodak had run away. However, Kodak had already been disposed of in the landfill by that point.

Needham emphasized the importance of trust between the vet office and Animal Control:

“We operate based on the understanding that the information provided by Animal Control is truthful, accurate, and transparent.”

Timeline of Events for the Summerville Vet

–September 24, 2024: Kodak was taken into custody by Animal Control.

–September 25, 2024: Kodak was euthanized at the request of Animal Control. (2:30 pm)

–October 7, 2024: Vet staff learned of Kodak’s involvement in the attack on another dog during a meeting at Commissioner Elsberry’s office.

Concerns Over Transparency 

Needham stressed that full transparency between Animal Control and the vet clinic is essential for the safety of staff and the proper treatment of animals. “Animal Control tells us when a dog has harmed another dog or person so we can protect our staff.”

Commissioner Elsberry has not responded to questions regarding the inconsistencies of his investigation or the meeting he held with the vet staff and Animal Control.

County Attorney Chris Corbin provided some of the requested documents on October 15, 2024, including:

Employee timesheets from the day of Kodak’s incident. The timesheets were only filled out to September 25 and were sent on October 15.

The intake form for the dog that Kodak killed at the Animal Control shelter. Sent on October 15.

A copy of the disposal ticket from the transfer station for the dog Kodak killed at the shelter on September 25.  The transfer station receipt is from September 26. Sent on October 17. AllOnGeorgia did ask what kind of dog was killed by Kodak. But at the time of publication had not received that information. The disposal ticket provided by Corbin is from the following day and appears to be for 200 pounds.

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Conclusion

The investigation Elsberry provided left the Summerville Vet office wanting to offer clarification to the public and the Ragland family.  The vet staff hopes for greater transparency from Animal Control moving forward.

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