Walker County Animal Control rescued 24 chihuahuas from a Rossville trailer that was covered in feces, rats and cockroaches.
Authorities responded to a call on Thursday at 601 James Street where workers found the dogs abandoned, said Animal Shelter Director Alison Smith.
When workers opened the doors, they found 16 adult dogs and eight puppies crawling around under boxes and in the filth, Smith said. The smell was so bad it was hard to breath, she said.
“It was horrific,” she said. “What they’ve been subjected to is absolutely wrong.”
The owner wasn’t home and authorities are still investigation how many people were involved in the neglect, she said. But charges will likely be pending.
Joy Lukachick is a crime reporter for the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Since 2009, she's covered breaking news, high-profile trials, stories of lost lives and of regained hope and done investigative work. Raised near the Bayou, Joy’s hometown is along the outskirts of Baton Rouge, La. She has a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Louisiana State University. While at LSU, Joy was a staff writer for the Daily Reveille. When Joy isn't chasing down ...
