TIFTON, Ga. (WALB) - The Tift County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after several animals were found dead at a wildlife rehabilitation facility in Tifton, an incident the owner describes as “nothing but evil.”

The animals were found dead at Steadfast Wildlife Rehab, a nonprofit facility dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing injured and orphaned wildlife.

Owner Jessica Pisciotta says whoever is responsible broke through her fence to gain access to the property before killing the animals, which were under active rehabilitation.

“These animals were here to be helped, not harmed,” Pisciotta said. “They were defenseless. What happened here is nothing but evil.”

She says the damage goes beyond the loss of the animals, adding the break-in has left her shaken and concerned about safety moving forward.

Pisciotta says she is working closely with DNR and Tift County board members and Tift County Sheriff Office as the investigation continues and steps are taken to prevent something like this from happening again.

Pisciotta says the facility’s mission has always focused on care, conservation, and education making the attack especially difficult to comprehend.

“This place is supposed to be a safe space,” she said. “For the animals and for the people who dedicate their lives to caring for them.”

A donation link can be found here.

Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to contact the Tift County Sheriff Office, or contact Dalton Ridgdill, Game Warden with Georgia DNR at (912) 685-2145.

With many questions still unanswered, WALB’s Taylor Lewis is working to uncover new details in this disturbing case.

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