Published: April 29, 2008 11:02 am      

Troubled Creekside Kennel shuts down in Clark County

Animal-control officer relieved to see Creekside go

Creekside Animal Kennel — the subject of much controversy over the past few months — closed Friday for good. The kennel, owned by Wes Auberry, that was the subject of animal-cruelty accusations and investigations, closed its doors, giving away the 16 dogs left at the kennel to area shelters.

“This is great,” said Mike Ettel, a Clark County Animal Control officer. “If it were run properly it would be something positive, but if they are bringing dogs over from Kentucky ... we have enough dogs that need homes in Clark County.

“There’s no way you can own a business and never be there and run it from Anchorage, Ky.”

Ettel said some of the dogs went to the Kentucky Humane Society, but he wasn’t sure about the whereabouts of each dog that remained at the shelter when it closed.

Auberry opened the no-kill shelter more than a decade ago, but recently faced allegations of animal cruelty and neglect. Auberry was unable to be reached before press time.

Kennel manager Jeffrey Lee had been running the kennel, but gave up last week, Ettel said.

Ettel said he called Wednesday to check in, and Rocky, a part-time employee at the kennel, said Lee left and put him in charge.

“I got a hold of Wes, and he decided to close,” Ettel said. “(Lee) told me all along he was getting ready to leave, and having to do it every day 24/7, he’s sick of it and needed to get out.”

Ettel said after Lee left and called Auberry about the situation at kennel, Auberry showed up only for a moment, only long enough to decide to sell.

“He got there and he fled — he didn’t stay,” Ettel said. “He looked at things and just left.”

Some county residents, and county leaders, are glad to see the kennel close. County Commissioner Mike Moore is happy to see Auberry and Creekside Kennel out of Clark County.

“(Auberry) still owes in excess of $12,000 in back property taxes and I want to make sure the county gets it,” Moore said. “The neighbors have dealt with that (kennel) long enough.

“I will fight to make sure Wes Auberry and Jeffrey Lee never do business again in Clark County, and I’ll make sure that happens.”