A Senoia, Georgia family paid roughly $300 in February 2025 to have their ailing 19-year-old ragdoll cat, Annie, euthanized and communally cremated at Senoia Animal Hospital and Pet Resort. Eighteen months later, they learned Annie had never been cremated at all — she had allegedly remained alive in an employee's possession for the entire time, according to the seed facts underlying this story.
A Chance Discovery Unravels the Story
Brian Jagt paid for the euthanasia and communal cremation after Annie, a purebred ragdoll, suffered a severe health decline that included refusal to eat, pain when touched, and severe arthritis, according to seed facts from the case. Veterinarian Dr. Kelly Alford examined Annie and agreed she should be euthanized. But McKenna Broussard instead kept Annie despite the signed euthanasia contract.
Tyler Jagt, a family member, learned in late July that Annie had allegedly been taken home by a Senoia Animal Hospital employee. The tip reportedly came from veterinary technician Courtney Bassin, a friend of the Jagt family, who told Tyler that Annie was still alive and reported that Broussard had asked her not to reveal it, per the seed facts.
Police Open a Theft Investigation
Detective James McCue of the Senoia Police Department opened an investigation, designated Case No. 26-2688, after Jagt recognized Annie in a photo on the clinic's website, according to The Citizen. A detective visited the clinic the day after an August 11 call.
Clinic records examined during the investigation showed that while Annie was officially logged as deceased on the Jagt family's account on February 14, 2025, Annie remained alive in an employee's possession, the outlet reported.
Whistleblower Says She Was Fired in Retaliation
Bassin, the technician who tipped off the Jagt family, was fired by Senoia Animal Hospital on August 13, 2026 — the same day Annie was ultimately euthanized. She has claimed the firing was retaliation for reporting Annie's whereabouts, while the clinic attributed it to attendance issues, per the same account from The Citizen.
During police questioning, Dr. Alford reportedly said Broussard wanted to try to save Annie, while clinic co-owner Dr. Jill Phillips said Annie was doing well and that keeping the cat “wasn't meant as deception.” Senoia Animal Hospital leadership later said they had failed to honor the family's trust, issuing an apology to Annie's family and refunding the fees the Jagts had paid.
Investigation Closed, Cat's Final Hours Described
Senoia Police treated the matter as a civil dispute without filing criminal charges or making arrests, according to The Citizen's reporting. The clinic refunded the fees and honored the family's request for euthanasia on August 13, 2026.
The clinic returned Annie's remains, and the family buried the cat at home. Brian Jagt said Annie was confused and angry during her final hours, a marked change from her calm demeanor before February 2025, The Citizen reported. Brian Jagt has said he believed Annie was being kept alive beyond reason to the cat's detriment, and according to seed facts, the family currently does not plan to pursue charges against the hospital.
Legal Questions Remain Open
Georgia's Veterinary Practice Act includes definitions in O.C.G.A. § 43-50-3, according to West's Code of Georgia Annotated. Separately, under Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine Rule 700-14-.02, veterinary practice is subject to a direct-supervision rule, per the Georgia Compiled Rules & Regulations.
Senoia Animal Hospital operates in Coweta County, according to The Newnan Times-Herald. The Jagt family originally reported the matter to police themselves before McCue's investigation formally opened.
For the Jagts, though, the immediate resolution is quieter: a refund, an apology, and a burial at home.
