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Dunlap animal rescue nets 60 dogs, six cats, a parrot and a goat
Approximately 60 dogs and other animals were rescued from atrocious conditions in Sequatchie County, Tennessee. The animals, many in need of urgent veterinary care, were living in absolute filth.
Geoffrey Peterson was charged with animal cruelty on December 19, after Sequatchie County law enforcement found more than 60 animals living in filthy conditions in his home. Story updated
This story has been updated with additional information on the suspect's bond hearing.
A $10,000 bond has been set for a Hixson man arrested last week after rescuers found more than 50 dogs in a house in Dunlap, Tenn.
Geoffrey Peterson appeared in Sequatchie County General Sessions Court this morning, according to a news release.
He is charged with four counts of aggravated animal cruelty, one count of animal cruelty and felony possession of morphine.
Sessions Judge L. Thomas Austin set a $10,000 bond and added a condition that Peterson have no contact with or control of any animals, the release stated.
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Animal rights workers and the Sequatchie County Sheriff's Department are clearing out a major case of animal hoarding in Dunlap, Tenn. Since about 8 a.m. this morning, more than 60 animals, mostly dogs, have been found at 640 Austin Road.
"We found 32 in the house when we first got here," said Chief Deputy Randall Lockhart. Then, they began searching three other sheds on the property.
The case has already been in the works for several days, culminating in this morning's raid of the property and arrest of Geoffrey Peterson, Lockhart said. Humane Society of United States workers from the organization's national headquarters in Maryland are on the ground, as well as workers from the organization's Nashville office.
So far, the team has found more than 50 dogs, eight cats, one goat, and one parrot. Four of the dogs were found dead, including a puppy found in the freezer.
The team is photographing the animals, assigning them numbers, and placing them in cages to be transported. Initially, the plan was to take the animals to McKamey Animal Shelter in Chattanooga, but it's still unclear whether that facility has the capacity to take all of them.
"We did not think it was going think it was going to be as big as it is," said Lockhart.
Peterson, who was arrested for suspected animal cruelty, is in custody the Sequatchie County jail.