Officers told 10News they found two goats and seven dogs at the home of Brian Nikolauyk and Nicole Sooy, located on New Highway 68 in Tellico Plains.
The sheriff's department said the goats appeared to be malnourished, and the dogs appeared to be starving. Four of the dogs were unable to stand upright.
Animal Control removed the animals from that home.
Deputies arrested Nikolauyk and Sooy this weekend. Each are facing one count of livestock at large, three counts of animal cruelty, four counts of aggravated animal cruelty, and seven counts for lack of a rabies vaccine.
Nikolauyk is also facing charges for an unrelated incident, for aggravated burglary and theft under $500.
Both remain in jail. Nikolauyk's bond is set at $30,000 and Sooy's bond is set at $25,000.
(WBIR - June 30, 2013)
