Tennessee: Clarksville couple, Daniel Thompson and Jessica Thompson, charged with child abuse, animal cruelty

TENNESSEE -- A Clarksville couple has been charged after police found their two children and starving dogs living in deplorable conditions.

The Leaf Chronicle reported Daniel and Jessica Thompson, both age 33, were arrested by Clarksville Police Monday night. Both were charged with one count of felony child abuse and neglect, one count of child abuse and neglect and one count of animal cruelty.

 

According to arrest warrants, police arrived at the home of Daniel Kevin Thompson and Jessica Dawn Thompson June 23 on suspicion of animal cruelty. Authorities could smell a foul odor coming from the home at 714 Green Valley Ct., and an emaciated dog was sitting on the porch.

The floors, kitchen counter tops, children’s rooms, and beds were covered in feces and urine.

A 9-year old girl and 5-year old boy were found barefoot and covered with bug bites. They were placed in the custody of the Department of Children’s Services.

 

Photos: Clarksville Now

Animal Control removed several animals from the home, including eight dogs, five cats, two rabbits, two parakeets, two hamsters, a chicken, and a rat. The warrants stated that there was not much food or water in the home for the pets.

The dogs were in the worst shape. A Great Dane who should have weighed 120 pounds weighed in at only 58 pounds and his ribs and hip bones were easily visible, according to animal control. He was covered in flea bites and bleeding from the wounds, said Animal Control Officer Willie Johnston.

Photo: The Leaf-Chronicle/Stephanie Ingersoll

A Miniature Pinscher was also extremely skinny, along with four pit bull mixes. Two pit bulls who had been recently acquired were in better shape but still underweight, Clifton said.

Willie Johnston with Animal Control said all the dogs were loaded with ticks and were given baths to remove them. They are being fed high protein food to help them gain weight.

 

Photo: Clarksvillenow.com

All of the dogs are currently available for adoption, according to Animal Control Director Tim Clifton.

“All of them are good dogs, they’re not aggressive,” Johnston said. “When you put food in front of them, they’re going to fight for the food.”

Their bonds were set at $15,000 each.

(WVLT - June 26, 2014)