Members of the Animal Rescue Corps along with the Ohio County Sheriff's Department removed 54 animals from a Whitesville residence on Friday. (Animal Rescue Corps - Photo by Amiee Stubbs)[/caption]
After investigating claims of neglect, the Ohio County Sheriff's Department removed 54 animals from a Whitesville residence yesterday.
According to a press release from the Ohio County Sheriff's Department (OCSD), Animal Rescue Corps (ARC) assisted the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department and Animal Control yesterday in rescuing around 54 animals. The animals were found living in neglectful conditions in a dilapidated trailer home in Whitesville. All the animals were seized by the OCSD.
Officials found 54 small and medium, mixed-breed dogs, and a cat, running loose in and around the trailer and yard. Both the trailer and the yard was covered in piles of feces and trash. The animals were dirty and suffering from heavy infestations of internal and external parasites. The only water source was rainwater collected in broken buckets.
“The conditions were typical of hoarding, which is a compulsive emotional attachment to things or animals that often leads to a situation like this that causes immense suffering for both the animals and people involved,” said ARC President Scotlund Haisley. “All of these animals are innocent victims and I commend the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department and Animal Shelter for acting quickly and working with us to bring this very sad situation to an end.”
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Animal Rescue Corps - Photo by Amiee Stubbs[/caption]
The planning for the rescue began when ARC received a call for help about the neglect of the dogs. Documentation brought to OCSD revealed several violations of cruelty codes.
“We take cases of animal abuse very seriously in this county and we will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.” said Ohio County Sheriff Tracy Beatty. “These animals desperately needed help so we didn’t hesitate to accept the assistance of Animal Rescue Corps and take action.”
ARC safely removed all the animals from the property and transported them to an emergency shelter set up for this rescue, dubbed Operation New Day, in Lebanon, TN. Each animal will receive a thorough veterinary exam, appropriate vaccinations, and any necessary medical treatment. ARC will offer daily care until the animals are placed with shelter and rescue organizations that will ultimately adopt them into loving homes. For people wishing to foster or adopt, ARC will publish its list of shelter and rescue placement partners on its Facebook page once the dogs are transferred to these groups.
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Animal Rescue Corps - Photo by Amiee Stubbs[/caption]
Animal Rescue Corps performed Operation New Day in conjunction with the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department, the Ohio County Animal Shelter, Friends of the Ohio County Animal Shelter, New Leash on Life of Lebanon, TN and PetSmart Charities, who contributed essential equipment, supplies and other needed items.
For more information about Animal Rescue Corps, please visit www.animalrescuecorps.org.