Kennel Operators Plead Guilty in Animal Cruelty Case

Two east Cherokee County kennel operators have pleaded guilty to accusations they kept hundreds of animals in deplorable conditions.

Guerry Wise, 80, and wife Joy Wise, 63, were sentenced last week to 25 consecutive years on probation by Cherokee County State Court Judge Alan Jordan. In an agreement, the Wises each pleaded guilty to the first 25 accusations against them.

The remaining 240 counts were deemed nolle prosed, meaning they would not be pursued by prosecutors.

The Wises operated Heavenly Kennel at 14045 Cumming Highway where over 300 dogs and other animals were found living in squalor in July.

The first 10 years of probation will be unsupervised and non reporting, while the remaining 15 years will be suspended.

Additionally, the Wises will have to pay a $1,305 fine, which court records show has already been paid.

The Wises also cannot be involved with anyone who breeds or sells animals, are required to dismantle, sell or get rid of all cages, equipment and associated structures related to their operation, delete all websites, possess no more than three dogs (all of which must be spayed or neutered), waive any Fourth Amendment rights related to the Cumming Highway property and submit to a one-time inspection at their home from March 1 to March 15, 2015.

The case, which was investigated by the Cherokee County Marshal’s Office, was brought to light when an officer with the agency on July 15 went to perform a compliance check on the property. According to CBS Atlanta, a North Carolina woman tipped off authorities after the Yorkie-Chihuahua puppy she purchased for $350 died a few days after she returned home.

The agency discovered dogs in filthy conditions and executed a search warrant.

Marshal’s office officials, Cherokee County Animal Shelter staff, veterinarian and animal activist Victoria Stilwell and Marietta veterinarian Dr. Michael Good all descended onto the scene to assess the situation.

Officers found the dogs were housed in cages and were being kept in unsanitary conditions. Underneath most cages were feces, urine and dog food that had fallen out through the grates, the marshal’s office said.

(Photo: Joy Wise, left, and husband Guerry Wise both face 366 counts of animal cruelty. Guerry Wise remains behind bars while his wife has bonded out of the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center. Credit: Cherokee Sheriff’s Office)