Woman found with nearly 250 dogs in Bradley County arrested

photo Rebecca Van Meter
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1420 Candies Creek Road SW

1420 Candies Creek Road SW

McDONALD, Tenn. - A 56-year-old woman is free on bond after her arrest on one count of cruelty to animals after more than 240 dogs were discovered Wednesday morning at a McDonald home, according to the Bradley County Sheriff's Office.

Rebecca Van Meter is free after posting a $500 bond, said Bob Gault, spokesman for the sheriff's office.

The dogs, mostly small breeds, were found at a suspected puppy mill at 1420 Candies Creek Road SW while deputies were responding to a "verbal domestic" situation at the residence a little after 9 a.m., Gault said.

Many of the dogs were kept in "wretched" conditions in an outbuilding on the rural property, a representative of the SPCA of Bradley County said.

"[I saw] dog after dog, puppy after puppy in just horrible conditions," said Ashley Crittenden, a volunteer with the organization. "I mean five or six dogs in one kennel, and there's no telling how long it's been before these dogs have cleaned."

The SPCA has requested donations of money and supplies.

For complete details, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.

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