Warning: The photos included in this article may be disturbing to some readers.
SMITH COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Smith County Humane is turning to the community for help after discovering a dozen dogs and puppies that were severely neglected.
The nonprofit announced on Facebook on Saturday, Jan. 25 that its president, dog coordinator, and volunteers were on the scene of an animal cruelty case involving multiple dogs. Several hours later, Smith County Humane shared additional details.
According to the organization, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office reached out on Friday, Jan. 24 to request assistance in the animal cruelty investigation. When staff arrived at the scene, they reportedly found nine adult dogs and three puppies in “terrible conditions.”
Smith County Humane said its dog coordinator assessed the animals, three of which were immediately rushed to Gordonsville Veterinary Clinic for evaluation and treatment.
Per the nonprofit’s Facebook post, one of those dogs — a chained female the organization named “Spirit” — was “so emaciated that she could barely stand and her body temperature was dangerously low. She is literally only skin and bones!!” She immediately received fluids and medications in order to help stabilize her.
According to Smith County Humane, two other dogs — which were found chained, emaciated, and dehydrated — were also in critical condition, but they weren’t as severe as Spirit. As of Saturday afternoon, those two dogs are being monitored and treated at Gordonsville Veterinary Clinic.
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(Courtesy: Smith County Humane) -
(Courtesy: Smith County Humane) -
(Courtesy: Smith County Humane) -
(Courtesy: Smith County Humane) -
(Courtesy: Smith County Humane) -
(Courtesy: Smith County Humane) -
(Courtesy: Smith County Humane) -
(Courtesy: Smith County Humane) -
(Courtesy: Smith County Humane) -
(Courtesy: Smith County Humane) -
(Courtesy: Smith County Humane) -
(Courtesy: Smith County Humane) -
(Courtesy: Smith County Humane)
“Today 3 older pups were taken into custody as well as 1 adult male (removed from a chain) and 1 adult male trapped. 1 small momma dog and her 3 very little pups were removed as well,” officials said in Saturday afternoon’s post, adding that every dog is emaciated, full of intestinal parasites, and unaltered, so they all need complete vetting.
Staff members from the organization said they were shocked any of these dogs survived the last freeze since they were all very thin and severely neglected, with no food or water in sight.
Smith County Humane said the sheriff’s office has charged the dogs’ owner with one count of aggravated animal cruelty and four counts of animal neglect/cruelty. However, no additional details were released about the case.
Meanwhile, the nonprofit said it is in desperate need of fosters for the dogs that have already been vetted, as well as some of the others that still need to be cleared. Smith County Humane also plans to reach out to other rescue organizations for transfer help due to the lack of a shelter or animal control in the county.
Follow these links if you’re interested in fostering, volunteering, or donating to Smith County Humane. So far, dozens of people have already raised more than $3,300 to support the dogs’ care.
For those who want to make a donation, the organization did issue a warning about a Venmo scammer named @SmithCountyTNHumane- using Spirit’s photo. However, the nonprofit’s actual Venmo name is @SmithCountyTNHumane.
