A team of area rescue volunteers worked together to remove 30 dogs and over  20 cats from deplorable conditions in Pleasant Shade, Smith County  this week.   

According to rescue volunteer Susan Truscott of Best Friends Critter Sitters, the rescue efforts began with a call received by  Shelly's Angel rescue, alleging that the dogs were going to be shot and killed.   What followed were a series of investigations and conversations with the property owner and with other rescues to find a way to remove the animals.

Led by Shelly of Shelly's Angels and Tracy Clark, rescue workers included Cole Bowan of Road Dog Transportation, who transports to shelters and foster homes in other parts of the country, and Mollie Bowan at Companion Pet Rescue, alongside Susan Truscott of Best Friends Critter Sitters.

After obtaining a release to remove the dogs, rescue workers found very inhumane conditions that were unsafe and unhealthy for both the animals and the inhabitants of the property.

Some eight dogs had been living in one room inside the house for the last 4-5 months, and the defacation and urine levels had buckled the floor and begun running through the exterior walls, visible from the outside.

The remainder of the dogs were chained without collars outside to the ground or to a pole barn, without visible water or food.    Most of the dogs did not appear to be severely malnurished, but starved for affection, dirty and in some cases, sick.   

The dogs were a wide variety of breeds and belonged to a womon named MaryAnn, who had become homeless at the death of her boyfriend, losing their residence on a neighboring farm.  Her neighbor, Bonnie, who had over 20 cats already, invited MaryAnn to live with her and bring her cats and dogs.   Bonnie, apparently ready to be rid of the animals, had solicited help from other neighbors in shooting the dogs.   This solicitation prompted calls to area rescues for help. 

Many of the cats on the Pleasant Shade farm were living crow/ded into crates, where they stayed without release.  According to rescue workers, three of the cats were lying dead in the pole barn, where they remained for the three days that rescue workers were on site evaluating and removing the animals. 

"It was just unbelievable," said Truscott, "they told us on Monday when we went that they would wait until Tuesday to shoot the dogs, allowing us time to organize transportation.  It broke my heart seeing those great dogs that way.....just miserable conditions.  Cole, Rick, Jodie and I went to transport them and ended up walking them nearly two miles out of the property, where there was no running water." 

After the rescue, Truscott was confronted by the dog's owner MaryAnn, who came to her home and business, issuing threats of violence before Truscott called for police assistance.  MaryAnn was held for a 72 hour psychiatric evaluation, according to Truscott.   MaryAnn's daughter had been highly supportive of the rescue and helped facilitate her homeless Mother's original agreement to the plan.

Many of Truscott's clients offered assistance in Vet evaluation and Truscott, along with Mollie Bowan, Shelly of Shelly's Angels and Tracy Clark, tended to the dogs and helped them get Vet attention, baths and food.

A video was put together by Shelly's Angels.  To help with this rescue and the placement of these dogs and cats, contact Shelly at  shellys.angels@yahoo.com or Tracy at tink2666@hotmail.com.

Editor's Note:

CookevilleTimes.com appreciates the efforts of those who have given their time and energy in this situation to remove these animals.     It's sad to learn of such conditions and know that  in our region we often struggle with mistreatment of animals.  But it is heartening to know that there are individuals committed to changing that.