Staff Report

Marcella Kay Guise

SOUTH WHITLEY — A Pierceton woman was recently arrested on multiple counts of animal cruelty.

Marcella Kay Guise, 51, 6280 US 30 East Lot 98, Pierceton, is charged with 10 counts of cruelty to an animal, all class A misdemeanors.

On Jan. 10, a South Whitley Police officer went to a location to assist in a death investigation. Upon arrival at the scene, the officer met with the Whitley County coroner.

According to court documents, the coroner said he could not complete his investigation due to multiple dogs being in the home. Initially, the officer was told there were seven smaller dogs and two larger dogs in the home. The officer also noticed large piles of trash in the residence.

A Whitley County Health Department representative came to the location and told four people at the home, including Guise, that they were not going to be able to live there due to the home’s condition. Upon hearing staff with the Whitley County Humane Shelter were on the way to retrieve the dogs, Guise became visibly upset and said she was “just watching” the dogs. It was later determined the smaller dogs belonged to Guise.

The shelter removed 11 Chihuahuas from the residence and said they felt the two larger dogs were being properly cared for. The larger dogs were released to a woman at the home who owned them.

A Jan. 13 report showed only one of the 11 Chihuahuas taken in by the shelter did not require medical attention.

The South Whitley Police Department has dealt with Guise on at least two prior occasions regarding her having multiple dogs. On June 21, 2022, an officer responded to a welfare check for a dog with possible fleas. Upon arrival, the officer found 14 dogs, half of which had mange bites. At that time, Guise told the officer she was moving and that the animals were under veterinary care.

On Jan. 3, 2023, an officer received a report about 10 dogs living at a home with Guise, which was in violation of town ordinances. The property’s manager said he visited the location on Feb. 10, 2023, and verified there were only three dogs in the home. Guise had told the manager that she was just watching the dogs.

Guise was booked in the Whitley County Jail on Jan. 18.