TIFTON, Ga. (WALB) - Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officers are canvassing the area around Steadfast Wildlife Rehab in Tifton with the help of a K-9 unit after several animals were found dead.

According to DNR, the animals’ injuries appeared to be wounds. Officials say the property and surrounding areas are being searched for evidence, and additional resources are expected to arrive as the investigation continues.

|PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Animals killed at Tifton wildlife rehab after fence breached; owner calls act ‘evil’|

Authorities confirmed the incident occurred around 4 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26, leaving nine animals dead at the facility. The animals included deer, emus, turkeys and geese. The DNR said three of the animals were removed from the property and are now undergoing necropsies to help determine their cause of death.

At this time, no suspects have been identified.

For the owner, the investigation marks the second day of searching for answers at a place she says was meant to be a safe haven for wildlife.

“A place that once served as a sanctuary for wildlife has now turned into what I would call a ‘massacre,’” owner Jessica Pisciotta said.

“I’m feeling numb to a degree. I’m hurting. I break down and cry at different times. I’ve been having a lot of panic attacks. My soul hurts,” Pisciotta added.

Pisciotta expressed gratitude for the agencies who are assisting with the investigation. She shared that investigators have conveyed confidence as the search continues.

“The investigators [who were there on Tuesday] are very certain that they’re going to find who did this,” Pisciotta said. “We had another investigator come out [Wednesday] and bring a search dog. And he is very certain that they’re going to figure out who did it also.”

As the investigation continues, volunteers at Steadfast Wildlife Rehab are also working to address rumors circulating on social media, including claims the damage may have been caused by dogs.

While some animals showed signs consistent with mauling, volunteers point to damage to the fencing and what DNR described as apparent wounds as evidence they believe involved human action.

“There were metal brackets holding this fence to this tree,” volunteer Dennis Brady said. “Somebody took the metal brackets off and took them with them. A dog couldn’t have done this.”

Pisciotta said that surviving animals are also showing signs of trauma after witnessing what happened.

“They know something. They watched it. It was traumatizing for them,” she said. “One of the geese, Bubbles, was a survivor. When we found everything, she was cuddled up next to her best friend.”

Both Pisciotta and Brady said they are struggling to understand why animals in rehabilitation would be targeted.

“It’s cruel,” Brady said. “They do a lot of good work here, saving animals and putting them back into the wild.”

Despite the loss, Pisciotta says support has poured in from across the community and beyond. Steadfast Wildlife Rehab is now asking for supplies and hands-on help to rebuild fencing and improve security.

Pisciotta says she is planning a proper burial for all animals killed Monday morning.

A donation link to help support Steadfast Wildlife Rehab can be found here.

Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

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