Animals removed from troubled Warsaw animal shelter

WARSAW, Ind. -- A controversial animal rescue in Warsaw has been shut down.

The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office confirmed two dogs, more than 23 cats, one donkey, one goat, three chickens, one rooster, one turkey, one duck, and four pigs have been confiscated after a failed inspection at the Isaiah 11 Ministry on West 100 North.

While those remaining animals have been rehoused, the owner, Linda Ozier, shared on Facebook they plan to continue counseling, tutoring, and youth groups at the property.

Melissa Villa runs a Facebook page to “expose” the conditions at the facility, she has been working for years to shut the nonprofit down.

This February, the Indiana Board of Animal Health got involved, giving Isaiah 11 a list of 23 recommendations to be resolved by March 28.

While some of the changes were made, others were not met, leading the animals to be taken to another rehabilitation facility.

While Villa was happy to see the Sheriff’s Office and PETA out removing the animals Monday, April 1, she believes any place not safe for animals shouldn’t have children running around either and would like to see the other services shut down as well.

“If it's not safe for animals it's not safe for children or people,” she added.

In past interviews owner Linda Ozier said she does not feel the animals were neglected, she was in over her head and in need of more volunteers.

A number of animals were already rehoused before the final inspection.

The investigation into the owner remains active and is expected to be wrapped up by the end of this week. ABC57 reached out for comment and did not hear back.