Tip Leads to Rescue of 33 Abused Animals in Pocahontas
WARNING: The pictures included in this article are ones of animal neglect and may be disturbing.
A tip to Hardeman County law enforcement of animals in “desperate conditions” led to the rescue of 33 abused animals in Pocahontas by the Animal Rescue Corps (ARC) during the Labor Day Weekend. Along with finding the residents of the trailer, 29 dogs, including a litter of puppies, “exhibiting signs of mange and poor health” and four cats living in small crates filled with feces and maggots were discovered.
“We arrived just in time,” said Tim Woodward, ARC’s Executive Director. “This was a life and death situation for some of these animals; we didn’t have a minute to spare.”
The planning for this rescue, dubbed Operation Dead End, began when the Hardeman County Animal Control, under the leadership of Mayor Todd Pulse, and the Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office, under the leadership of Sheriff John Doolen, received a tip and visited the property. After witnessing the conditions of the animals, the agencies reached out to the ARC, which immediately assembled tactical equipment and a field team, and prepared its rescue center in Gallatin, Tennessee for the incoming animals.
“Not all victims are humans. Sometimes it’s animals who need our assistance,” said Hardeman County Investigator Craig Collins. “We’re very grateful the Animal Rescue Corps was able to assist these poor animals of our community.”
The cats were living in small crates filled with feces and maggots. The dogs were loose both inside and outside the trailer. Because of the lack of veterinary care and the unsanitary, inhumane living conditions, the animals are suffering from a range of medical issues. Those include broken bones, severe anemia, high ammonia exposure, mange, severe and painful disease, overgrown nails, fur loss, skin inflammation, ear and eye infections and injuries, and severe internal and external parasites (including fleas and ticks). Despite the conditions in which the animals were found, surprisingly none were deceased.
“Each animal is receiving a thorough veterinary exam, appropriate vaccinations, and any necessary medical treatments until they are matched and transported to trusted shelter and rescue partner organizations that will ultimately adopt them into loving homes” said Woodward, “For people wishing to foster or adopt, the ARC will publish its list of shelter and rescue placement partners on its Facebook page once the animals are transferred to these groups.”
Woodward shared other ways people can help besides adoption.
“People can donate supplies through our Amazon Wishlist,” said Woodward. “They can donate their time as a volunteer or transport driver, and even donate an old car.”
Woodward encourages people to contact their local law enforcement and animal control officials to request a “welfare check” for animals they may be concerned about. People may also e-mail the ARC at reportcruelty@animalrescuecorps.org to report any animal mistreatment.
The Animal Rescue Corps (ARC), a national animal protection non-profit, has provided large-scale animal rescue for communities that lack resources to address abuse since 2010. In addition to emergency rescue, the ARC offers education and shelter relief. The ARC’s mission is to end animal suffering through direct and compassionate action and to inspire the highest ethical standards of humanity towards animals. Learn more about Animal Rescue Corps.
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