Tennessee: James Hartley, 70, forced dogs to live in house "completely covered in dog feces"

TENNESSEE -- A Murfreesboro man is behind bars for animal cruelty charges after nine mistreated dogs were found in his home, some which had not been outside for years.

According to arrest records for 70-year-old James Hartley (Jim Hartley), Murfreesboro Police detectives responded to his residence at 608 N. Academy Street last Friday and found nine dogs in "various degrees of malnutrition and neglect."

One of the dogs had a serious untreated wound according to police. Officers state they found the residence "covered in feces and completely unlivable."

During questioning, Hartley admitted to the mistreatment of the animals and not providing proper care. He then told police some of the dogs had not been out of the house for years and he had not cleaned up for 5 or 6 months.

PAWS responded to the scene and took custody of the dogs.

Hartley was charged with felony aggravated cruelty to animals and booked into the Rutherford County Jail. He was given a $4,500 bond.

(Fox17 - March 7, 2017)