DANDRIDGE, Tenn. (WATE) — More than 60 dogs were recused from a hoarding case in Dandridge.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies with the Animal Control and Criminal Investigation Division responded to a residence on Argonnia Lane in Dandridge at 9:45 a.m. on Sept. 16.
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Animal control also responded to the residence on Friday, which led to the actions on Monday. Paula Whitt, 58, was detained and faces 55 counts of aggravated animal cruelty. She was taken to the Jefferson County Detention Center. JCSO said the residence was the site of “A Life 2go2 Rescue” a nonprofit that cares for and boards animals.
Companion Animal Rescue and Education (CARE) also responded and took possession of the 63 dogs. The shelter’s director shared that the dogs were living in “deplorable conditions and are in really rough shape.” The shelter is asking for help to take care of the dogs as they are already over capacity and do not have the space or funds to properly take care of the dogs.
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“The conditions were horrible. We went through a trailer that was stacked too high all the way through, not air-conditioned, not a single bowl of water in any of those crates,” CARE Director Mindy Hutcheson said. “And every dog we brought out stopped at water and just guzzled it down, to the point we had to just pull them away because it was just going to make them sick.”
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CARE has links on its website for people to adopt or foster pets, as well as how to donate or volunteer.
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