The animals were seized Thursday by the Washington, D.C. group Animal Rescue Corps. They were assisted by officers from the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and Wayne County Animal Control.
Owner Carla Preat of Monticello was arrested. She faces second-degree Cruelty to Animals. She bonded out of jail, and could not be reached for comment.
Officials believe Preat would sell the dogs online or at flea markets.
Investigators said many of the dogs were found living in small, rundown cages designed for rabbits and did not have access to clean water.
Officials from the Animal Rescue Corps said all of the animals were in need of veterinarian care.
There were a number of small breed dogs, including many mothers who are either pregnant or have puppies only a few weeks old.
"Animals have been suffering from various untreated illnesses on this horrendous property for more than a decade," Animal Rescue Corps President, Scotlund Haisley said. "The conditions were very typical of a puppy mill."
Officials from Animal Rescue Corps received a tip of the alleged abuse and Wayne County Animal Control was brought in to investigate possible violations of county and state cruelty codes.
"Wayne County takes allegations of animal cruelty very seriously," said Charles Boston, Sheriff of Wayne County. "These animals needed our help immediately, so we didn't hesitate to accept the assistance of Animal Rescue Corps and take action."
All of the animals have been removed and transported to an emergency shelter in Lebanon, Tennessee.
The animals are being examined and treated, but many were found with fleas, parasites and infections. The rescued animals will be up for adoption, but that won't happen until the court gives custody to Animal Rescue Corps.
They will be transferred from the emergency shelter in Lebanon to other area shelters for adoption. That's expected to happen sometime late next week.
(NewsChannel5 - Sept 20, 2013)
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