Bluff City woman faces 28 counts of animal cruelty

TENNESSEE -- A Sullivan County woman is facing 28 counts of animal cruelty after 23 cats and 12 dogs were found in poor health on her property.

The Sullivan County sheriff’s office received a tip that a number of dogs and cats were not properly cared for inside a home on Turner Road in Bluff City. The animals were in the care of 55-year-old Kathy Sullivan.

Detectives searched the home on September 9 and found unsuitable living conditions. Officers say the home had no circulating air and was "extremely hot". Trash and feces were found in the areas where the animals were kept and, according to officers, the home was infested with fleas.

All the cats and dogs were dehydrated.

 

The animals were taken to the shelter in Blountville. According to Tom Parham, this is the largest amount of animals to come in at one time.

Kathy Sullivan was taken to the Sullivan County Correctional Facility on December 17.

 

To help cover the medical costs of caring for the animals, the animal shelter was awarded nearly $7,000, after Assistant District Attorney Julie Caner applied for an emergency relief grant.

(WATE-TV - Dec 31, 2013)