37 Animals Rescued From Horrible Living Conditions in Private Property in Tennessee

After the owner died and the family couldn't find a humane solution locally where animal services are weak, Animal Rescue Corps, a national animal protection group, rescued ten dogs and more than 27 cats from terrible conditions at a Tennessee property today.

Animal Rescue Corps rescued all of the animals from the residence.

(Photo : Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

ARC to the Rescue

On arrival, ARC officers discovered four large and six little dogs living in small feces-filled kennels, with several roaming free inside the residence. One of the dogs, Hooper, was confined in a tiny wire kennel on the front porch, covered with excrement and newspaper.

More than 27 cats were also going wild, exposed to the elements indoors and outdoors. In the home, one dead and rotting dog was discovered.

Terrible Living Conditions

(Photo : Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

The animals are suffering from a variety of medical issues, including high ammonia exposure, severe and painful dental disease, overgrown nails, flystrike, fur loss, skin inflammation, ear and eye infections and injuries, and internal and external parasites, due to a lack of veterinary care and unsanitary, inhumane living conditions (including fleas and ticks). There are symptoms of upper respiratory infection in several of the cats.

"We're delighted we could respond so fast before the freezing conditions tonight since there is no water or electricity on this property," said Tim Woodward, ARC's Executive Director. They were in terrible need, " he added.

After viewing the farm, a local animal advocate contacted ARC for help in preparing this rescue, which was titled Operation Better Days. ARC began organizing tactical equipment and a field crew as soon as the animals arrived and prepping their facilities for them. The Animal Rescue Corps safely extracted every animal.

Providing Shelter

All animals were brought to ARC's Rescue Operation Center in Lebanon, Tennessee. Before being matched and transferred to reputable shelter and rescue partner organizations where they will be adopted into loving homes, each animal is given a full veterinarian inspection, proper vaccinations, and other required medical procedures.

Once the animals have been transferred to these groups, ARC will provide a list of shelter and rescue placement partners on its Facebook page for anyone who wants to foster or adopt.

Legislations on Animal Cruelty

Most jurisdictions' criminal animal cruelty legislation provides a minimal level of care, including providing food and water to the animal and, in some instances, shelter and veterinary treatment. Some legislation may also mainly handle animal abandonment.

In 35 states and the District of Columbia, extreme or repeated animal neglect is a felony in both the United States and Puerto Rico. These laws have been passed for the most part in the last 15 years.

Pre-conviction forfeiture, cost-of-care bonds, or liens, which can speed up permanent placement for the animals and ease sheltering expenses for the care of seized animals, show that legislators and society, in general, recognize the severity of animal neglect crimes and the need for harsher penalties to deter future violators.