Murphy Woman Charged with Animal Abandonment, Cruelty, and Violations Involving Potentially Dangerous Dogs

Following a thorough investigation by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Division, Ashley Tonya Crisp, 33, of Murphy, has been charged with multiple animal welfare violations.

On February 26, 2026, Animal Services received a report of an abandoned animal at a residence on Lunsford Road which belonged to Crisp. On March 18, 2026, deputies responded to a breaking-and-entering call at a vacant residence on US 64 West in Murphy. Inside the home, they discovered six dogs confined in wire crates with no access to food or water, along with one rabbit. Animal services was called to the scene to take custody of the animals.

Prior to these incidents, Crisp had been served with a Potentially Dangerous Dog notice regarding four dogs that had repeatedly approached neighbors in a vicious, terrorizing manner while off the owner’s property.

After an extensive investigation, Crisp was charged with:

• One count of Abandonment of an Animal

• Six counts of Failure to Provide Necessary Sustenance

• Four counts related to Potentially Dangerous Dog violations (failure to report the location of the dogs on the registry)

On May 5, 2026, Crisp was taken into custody without incident. She was later released after posting an $11,500 secured bond.

“Animal cruelty and neglect are criminal law violations and will not be tolerated in Cherokee County,” said Sheriff Chris Wood. “Our deputies and animal services team are committed to protecting animals from abuse and ensuring responsible pet ownership. We will continue to investigate these cases thoroughly and hold violators accountable.”

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Animal Services Division continue to prioritize the welfare of animals and will aggressively pursue individuals who neglect or abuse them.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.