A concerned neighbor called animal control Wednesday after not seeing one of the dogs in the yard for the last week. What officers found, they say, was horrifying.
One dog, the mother of the puppies, had an injury on her face so bad her jaw was exposed as well as her eye infected. Morristown police say the couple, Johnathan and Martha Ballard, are facing animal cruelty charges.
The three-week-old puppies were huddled together Thursday inside the Morristown-Hamblen Humane Society.
“They’re eating well. They seem to all be doing well, playing well. They’re healthy which is good,” said shelter director Pamela Velder.
The puppies were living at a home on Mae Collins Road. Neighbors say they called the shelter after not seeing the puppies’ mother for about five days.
“You just feel helpless. There’s nothing you can do to help them but call,” said one neighbor, who requested anonymity.
Animal control officers say they found no food or water for the seven puppies and their mother, who were living under the mobile home. The pit bull was found in the yard.
“It was chained up on maybe a 5 foot chain and the doghouse had no food or water,” said Animal Control Officer Jose Rojas.
The mother of the puppies, with an injured face, was most concerning.
“It was horrific. I mean decay is the only word that comes to mind what she looked like,” said Velder.
Sadly, the dog had to be euthanized. The shelter believed she hadn’t eaten or had any water in days.
“I’ve been there before, two times, before because I had to write them tickets for dogs running at large. Because their dogs would always run and get in the road, almost hit by cars. They knew what they had to do to take care of the animals,” said Rojas.
“We’re not going to mess around. We’re going to prosecute. If you’re deliberately neglecting your animal and not taking care of it, animals are a responsibility,” said Velder.
Neighbors say they’re brokenhearted.
“I just hope all her puppies end up with good, safe homes because if they’re anything like her they’ll be great great dogs, said the neighbor.
Martha Ballard did not wish to be interviewed, but said she’s very upset and they did not abuse their dogs.
The puppies and the pit bull are currently staying with foster caretakers while this case goes through the court system. The dogs will eventually be up for adoption.
Tennessee released a registry of people convicted of having intentionally abused animals on January 1. First-time offenders have their names on the registry for two years, while a second offense means five years.
(WATE - Jan 14, 2016)
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