9News

ELBERT COUNTY - A wildlife sanctuary near Agate euthanized 11 animals due to flooding concerns about a week after the Elbert County Board of Commissioners denied a permit request that would have let owners relocate the sanctuary.

A statement from Lion’s Gate Sanctuary says last Thursday it humanely euthanized three lions, three tigers and five bears. The statement from co-owner Dr. Joan Laub says the decision came after flooding on the property last week. Owners felt they had “no other option” to protect the animals’ safety.

Laub’s statement says multiple flooding incidents during the past two years prevented owners from reasonably caring for the animals at the sanctuary’s current location.

She and her partner Peter Winney requested a Use by Special Review permit to build a sanctuary on a 45-acre property near Elizabeth. Plans called for enclosures in an area outside of a flood plain.

Read more on 9News.com.