Woman found with nearly 250 dogs in Bradley County arrested

Rebecca Van Meter

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.”