Some of you may have heard about a warrant executed yesterday at Journey's End Animal Sanctuary, where Volusia County Animal Services spent six months investigating multiple complaints about the conditions of the property and the lack of proper medical treatment for the animals. There's a lot of misinformation out there, so please take a look at this video message from Animal Services Director Adam Leath and Sheriff Mike Chitwood. To review many of the Animal Services records and documentation related to this case, go to volusia.org/AnimalServicesPublicRecords More from Sheriff Chitwood: I've been hearing a lot of concern over the 16 sick animals that Animal Services took from Journey's End Animal Sanctuary yesterday to get medical care from veterinarians. I want to set the record straight, because a lot of people are posting about it without accurate facts. First off, you have to understand that everyone involved cares about the well‑being of these animals. The Sheriff's Office hasn't been involved in this case, but Volusia County Animal Services has been working with Journey's End for six months, because they've received multiple complaints about the conditions, the number of animals on the property (well over 100) and the inability to provide adequate medical care for many of them. When it comes to the details, I'll let Animal Services speak for themselves, since it's their investigation. They've provided plenty of information and records that lay it all out, if you choose to read through it. But I know that after three separate inspections by veterinarians, as well as independent inspections of the property, Animal Services discovered: *Deceased animals *Animals in severe pain and suffering *Emaciated animals *Injured animals *Animals with respiratory infections *Animals with parasitic infections *Heavily cluttered and unsanitary living conditions *And an overall lack of veterinary care for the animals and a lack of veterinary oversight to ensure all the animals receive proper care Animal Services has been documenting all of this for months, and allowing multiple opportunities for improvements and corrections. They can't just ignore it and hope for the best. There's no doubt in my mind that everyone at Journey's End wants to help these animals, but it takes more than that. The animals deserve the best, and so in some cases that means they need to receive urgent medical care or ongoing treatment from a veterinarian. Someone who has the training, resources and facilities to properly handle each unique case. Because Animal Services had to go in with a warrant yesterday, we had to have deputies there to assist them, clear out the property and ensure everyone's safety and security. No one was detained, in custody or under arrest. Animal Services officers took 16 animals that needed immediate intervention. I think they did the best they could in a difficult situation. On social media I've seen quite a few posts and other comments insulting the Sheriff's Office and the deputies who were on scene. While I understand everyone's passionate about this, I'm just asking you look at the facts instead of attacking the deputies who, by just showing up and doing their jobs, allowed Animal Services to do theirs. These animals are getting better quality medical care today than they were yesterday. That's what's important. -Sheriff Chitwood