Gibson Co. deputies investigate possible puppy mill; 45 puppies rescued

UPDATE: Woman charged with animal cruelty in alleged Gibson Co. puppy mill

Original story:

GIBSON COUNTY, Tenn. — The sheriff’s department is investigating what they are calling a puppy mill as at least 45 puppies are being rescued.

According to Sheriff Paul Thomas, the department received a tip about puppies living in bad conditions and being malnourished at the property on Griers Chapel Road between Trenton and Dyer.

The sheriff says some puppies have died.

Charges are pending as deputies and volunteers complete the rescue operation.

Volunteers from Animal Rescue Corps and Bissell Pet Foundation are helping with the rescue.

Photo courtesy of Animal Rescue Corps

According to a release from Animal Rescue Corps, about 48 dogs were rescued in the operation, most of them small breeds. They say the dogs were living in “horrendous conditions.”

The release states that 45 small dogs were found stacked in cages with piles of urine soaked feces and that two dogs were found dead. They say they also rescued three large dogs that were loose on the property.

Many of the animals were found without access to food or water and some were exposed to the elements without any source of shade, according to the release.

Animal Rescue Corps shared photos from the rescue operation on their Facebook page.

“These dogs have been locked in a cage their whole lives and forced to have litter after litter,” ARC President Scotlund Haisley says in the release. “They have never known what it’s like to be a dog. Most of them have never felt the ground beneath their feet or a kind touch.”

The breeds reportedly include Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, Boston Terriers, Maltese, Shih-Tzus, poodles and Brussels Griffon.