LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — The former Lake County Animal Service director is firing back after she was terminated for allegedly not following the county's euthanasia policy.
Jacquelyn Johnston's attorney recently sent to letter to the Sheriff's Office and talked with Channel 9 about the allegations.
"She was shocked. She was devastated," said attorney Angelena Root.
Root said her client is being thrown under the bus.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office said Johnston was fired for euthanizing more than 20 animals all in the same day and 147 of them in just the nine days she was on the job.
Johnston said it's not true and is fighting back, and her attorney sent the Sheriff's Office a scathing letter.
In the letter, Johnston said she wasn't even there when the 20 dogs were put down and said she certainly didn't kill 147.
Root said the false information has ruined her client's career and caused her to receive death threats.
Johnston said she's gotten messages saying she should be euthanized and lit on fire.
The letter also said Johnston found many problems in the shelter and that she discovered employees were falsifying county records, euthanizing animals without anesthesia and using a heart stick, which is a long syringe used to inject deadly drugs into an animal's heart.
She also claimed animals were being served moldy food.
The Sheriff's Office wouldn't comment on the letter but did say they are looking into the operations and will make any changes they feel are necessary.
WFTV
