Tennessee: Morgan County man, Jesse Gilbert, 73, arrested after 32 animals found in poor conditions

"The home was in such a shape that words cannot describe," reads the Morgan County Sheriff's Office report.

TENNESSEE -- A Morgan County man faces animal cruelty charges after 20 dogs and multiple other animals were found in a home in deplorable conditions.

Jesse Gilbert, 73, also listed as Jesse Norris, faces 18 counts of cruelty to animals. Officers were called to a home on Flat Rock Road in the Chestnut Ridge area on Tuesday for an animal complaint call and found 18 dogs not being taken care of, according a report from the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office.

 

 

The report says the home was full of feces with no water source and no electricity. All of the windows were closed.

“The home was in such a shape that words cannot describe,” reads the report.

 

“A lot of them was in real bad condition,” said Officer David Woodard.

The owner eventually arrived and told officer he takes care of the dogs, but keeps them locked up due to “mix breeding.” Officers went around the home and opened windows so the dogs could get fresh air.

When rescue group Animal Rescue Corps arrived on Wednesday, they found 32 animals on the property, including 20 dogs, one donkey, four miniature donkeys, two ponies, a potbellied pig, three roosters and a hen.

 

 

The group says small dogs were kept inside the house with no food or water. The home was full of animal feces, urine and debris. The stench kept authorities from entering the home immediately. 

Adult dogs and puppies, just weeks old, had signs of severe neglect including emaciation, mange, dehydration, intestinal worms, external parasites, runny eyes and alopecia. Four dogs were outside chained to trees and other animals were around the house in poor conditions. None had food or water.

 

 

 

(WATE - June 1, 2016)