Stories Of Animal Abuse Continue to Surface from ACAR

After an initial article highlighting allegations of unfair treatment at Alachua County Animal Resources (ACAR) gained traction, several former employees and volunteers reached out to GnvInfo to share their own troubling experiences at the shelter.

Ashley Sofield, a vet technician who worked at ACAR for nearly a year, details her experiences in the shelter. She accused Dr. Samantha Stephenson, a lead veterinarian at the shelter, of subjecting both animals and staff to mistreatment.

“The treatment that both animals and staff endured under Dr. Stephenson was cruel, unethical, and incredibly unprofessional,” Sofield wrote in a detailed email to GnvInfo and County Commissioners.

One particularly disturbing incident Sofield recounts involved a group of veterinary students from the University of Florida (UF). The students had been invited to observe an amputation, but before the procedure began, Sofield asked Dr. Stephenson to double-check the injured leg to ensure the correct one was being amputated. Dr. Stephenson refused, claiming she could not feel a break higher up the leg. Despite this, the wrong leg was amputated, reportedly due to a mislabeled x-ray. In a panic, Dr. Stephenson allegedly blamed the UF students for the error, euthanized the kitten, and then falsified medical records, claiming the cat had died under anesthesia. 

In another instance, a cat with two broken front legs, was left in severe distress after having her legs wrapped. Sofield notes the cat was not given anything for pain management. According to Sofield, Dr. Stephenson directed staff to leave the cat alone, claiming she was just getting used to the bandages. Later, the cat was found dead in the kennel, with no autopsy or explanation given. 

Sofield also shared a harrowing account of a dog who was bleeding from an amputation site. The dog’s kennel was covered in blood, and when Sofield alerted Dr. Stephenson, she was told, “I’m surprised it lasted this long. The dog wasn’t doing good on Friday and had a clotting disorder.” The dog reportedly bled out over the weekend, until they were euthanized on Monday.

 In yet another incident, a lethargic dog with pale gums and vomiting symptoms was dismissed by Dr. Stephenson, who reportedly yelled at Sofield for raising concerns as she was getting ready to leave. The following day, the dog underwent emergency surgery for an intestinal blockage, but died under anesthesia due to the delay in care.

These stories are in direct contrast to a statement issued by Alachua County, which asserts that animals in their care receive “compassionate and high-quality care.” Yet, many former employees and volunteers, including Sofield, question the validity of such claims, citing a lack of proper care protocols and neglect of animals in severe distress.

One former worker described the shelter as having severely dilapidated cot-style beds for the dogs, while rats had burrowed into the insulation, contaminating food and water bowls below with fiberglass debris. ASPCA guidelines clearly state that food must be protected from rodents and insects, and that all animals should be given the opportunity to rest on a surface elevated from the ground.

Many community members have recently shared their experiences with the shelter. Several people who have taken animals into foster care, have reported issues contacting the shelter after-hours for medical emergencies. With the shelter already having issues with overcrowding and understaffing, it is crucial to provide the necessary support to foster families. 

Despite mounting complaints and public outcry, Alachua County officials, including Communications Director Mark Sexton, have refused to comment further on the allegations or to address the concerns raised by former staff and the public. In response to emails, the county has repeatedly issued a generic statement claiming that the shelter is in full compliance with ASPCA guidelines, largely ignoring the specific violations outlined by former employees and volunteers.

In light of the ongoing issues, concerned community members are planning to attend the upcoming Alachua County Board of Commissioners meeting on December 10 at 11:30 a.m. for public comment. Advocates are calling for complete compliance with ASPCA guidelines, better foster care support, and the suspension of Director Julie Johnson and Attending Veterinarian Dr. Stephenson until a third-party investigation can shed light on the allegations.