Owners claimed they were running a shelter, but that's not what investigators found inside.
“We take animal cruelty reports seriously in Hamblen County and these conditions were unacceptable,” said Sheriff Esco Jarnagin. “We’re grateful Animal Rescue Corps could assist us so quickly to address this situation and bring the animals to safety.”
Authorities responded to complaints on Valentine's Day about dogs living in horrendous conditions at the home based rescue organization of The Puppy Patch.
According to Facebook page of The Puppy Patch, a small dog was shown rescued in the nick of time as recently as Valentine's Day from being euthanized. A plea for a foster home was posted. Questions were posed as to missing dogs. Neither principal of the rescue has responded.
"The Puppy Patch is a small group of dedicated animal lovers committed to saving animals from high kill shelters and placing them in loving forever homes."
However, the reality is that the animals needed to be rescued from "the rescuers".
Seventy-five dogs and two cats were living in filthy conditions among garbage and feces in a home in Hamblen County.
Responders found dozens of dogs, who had been without access to food, water, and necessary veterinary care, in small, filthy crates and dozens more running loose in a house among piles of garbage on urine-soaked and feces-covered floors.
Dogs, several who were underweight and two who were nursing mothers, exhibited various illnesses and injuries, including external parasites, conjunctivitis, and severe diarrhea.
"There was about two inches of feces on the floor throughout the entire house. Really high levels of ammonia," said Michael Cunningham, with Animal Rescue Corps.
Stacked cages and trash-covered counters only tell part of the story.
Cunningham said the whole scene was no bigger than a two-car garage.
"It's a really grim situation, so we're glad that we were able to save every animal that we brought off the property," he said.
Kimberly Turner and Melissa Turner, the two women in charge with the so-called shelter called The Puppy Patch, now face dozens of counts of animal cruelty.
“These animals have been living in a house of horrors, with an overwhelming stench of ammonia and an unbelievable build up of feces all over,” said Animal Rescue Corps President Scotlund Haisley. “These animals have endured tremendous suffering and it ends today.”
On Sunday, the animals will be examined by a team of veterinarians and will eventually head to area rescues and be prepared for adoption.
Melissa Turner, one of the two property owners listed on the organization's website, was arrested on Friday evening and now faces 63 counts of animal cruelty. An arrest warrant has been issued for the other partner.
"Really emaciated. Severe dehydration," Cunningham said. "The animals are resting. They're getting fed. They're getting hydrated. They seem to be coming around. We'll see them moving from the back of the crate more toward the front. We've got some tail wags today. So today's a good day."
The goal is to eventually be able to adopt them out, which is ironic, since adoption was the goal in the first place that landed the animals in awful circumstances.
Animal Rescue Corps says it needs puppy pads and dog food, specifically Nutro Rice & Chicken as well as boiled chicken and cooked rice, as it continues to rehabilitate the rescued animals. Food for the volunteers is also appreciated. You can drop the items off at 200 Carver Lane in Lebanon.
"Animal Rescue Corps performed this rescue, dubbed Operation Mending Hearts, in conjunction with New Leash on Life (a shelter partner based in Lebanon, TN who provided transport vehicles), the Hamblen County Sheriff’s Department, the Morristown Hamblen Humane Society, and Dr. Daniel Parks of Five Rivers Mobile Veterinary Service. ARC would also like to thank the Floyd family of Lebanon, TN and Patterson Veterinary Supplies for their support."
(Examiner - Feb 16, 2014)
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