ASHEVILLE - A Buncombe County woman has filed a lawsuit against the owner of a dog boarding and training facility in Swannanoa where two huskies died in April.
Morgan Glenn filed the lawsuit Sept. 16 against Tiffany Jourdain, the owner of Inner Knowing Canine Connections in Swannanoa. Glenn's Siberian huskies, Pneuma and Melo, stayed at the boarding facility starting on April 9. During the property meet-and-greet, Jourdain told Glenn that the facility was a one story home with a large fenced yard, according to the lawsuit. Jourdain also told Glenn that the dogs would not be alone for more than a couple hours at a time and that Pneuma would be allowed to free roam the home, while Melo would only be crated overnight.
Glenn boarded her dogs at the
facility in 2023 and 2024, according to the lawsuit.
On April 9, 2026, Glenn left her dogs at the facility again, but Jourdain wasn't there — a "young girl," who Glenn thought was an employee, was there instead, the lawsuit stated.
Glenn was told Jourdain was at a training session and would be right back, the lawsuit stated.
Glenn texted detailed care instructions to Jourdain after drop-off, including details about the dog's care and routine, the lawsuit stated.
Glenn received an initial text update the evening of April 9, which said that both dogs were settling in nicely, the lawsuit stated. She received another brief update with photographs on April 14, the lawsuit stated.
On April 19, Jourdain left a voicemail for Glenn stating there was a "massive emergency" involving both dogs, according to the lawsuit. In the voicemail, Jourdain said that a training assistant reported the dogs had not wanted to eat, and that the assistant had been away for four hours. Jourdain said that one dog was seizing, while the other was extremely lethargic, according to the lawsuit. Glenn was overseas at the time she received the voicemail, and so her father took over communications.
Then, after that voicemail, Jourdain tried to cover up what happened to the dogs, telling Glenn's father they took both dogs to the emergency vet in Asheville and that efforts to save the dogs were unsuccessful, according to the lawsuit.
Veterinarians later told Glenn that the dogs were "dead on arrival," and Melo had been dead long enough for rigor to set in.
Jourdain met with Glenn and returned the dog's food bins, which had little food missing, the lawsuit stated.
Glenn also got Pneuma's medication back, which showed that Pneuma had received only one dose during the 10 day boarding period, according to the lawsuit.
In addition, a Buncombe County Sheriff's Office investigation found that both dogs were kept in crates in an un-airconditioned outdoor shed or barn for their entire stay. The investigation found that there were around 19 dogs on the property that were left under the supervision of one person, and that the property was deep cleaned by Jourdain and others prior to the deaths being reported, according to the lawsuit.
Melo also is believed to have died earlier than was reported. The necropsy was inconclusive because it had been performed too long after Melo's death, the lawsuit stated.
A necropsy performed on Pneuma found that Pneuma was severely dehydrated, and there was no food in her digestive tract.
Former employees and others have since provided video and photographic evidence of poor conditions and animal cruelty at the facility.
The lawsuit, which is filed against both Jourdain and the facility, accuses them of negligence, fraud, and unfair and deceptive trade practices, among other allegations. It asks for an unspecified amount of damages.
Jourdain and three others were criminally charged in connection with the investigation.
Jourdain, 34, of Swannanoa, was charged with altering, stealing or destroying criminal evidence, felony conspiracy, cruelty to animals, and instigating cruelty to animals.
Jourdain's arrest warrant alleges that she instructed the cleaning of the crime scene April 19. Additionally, she is accused of beating a dog in the face with a metal bowl and kicking and hitting it, according to court records. She also is accused of teaching employees to use the same methods while training dogs. Jourdain posted a $25,000 bond May 7 and was released from jail. She could not be reached for comment.
Brianne Michelle Hunt, 31, of Marshall, is charged with altering, stealing or destroying criminal evidence and felony conspiracy. She posted a $5,000 bond May 7 and was released from jail.
Diana Hope Hall, 38, of Black Mountain faces the same charges and also was released on a $5,000 bond.
Lillian Nichole Sparks, 19, of Black Mountain is charged with altering, stealing or destroying criminal evidence, felony conspiracy, two counts of killing an animal by starvation and five counts of cruelty to animals. She posted a $25,000 secured bond May 7 and was released from jail. All four are scheduled to appear in court Dec. 3.
When reached Sept. 17 by email, Glenn referred questions from the Citizen Times to her attorney, Corey Atkins. Atkins did not respond to an email from the Citizen Times.
Kara Fohner is the Public Safety Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Email her at kfohner@usatodayco.com or call her at 980-241-8671.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Woman sues kennel owner after two huskies die
