Shannon Lacewell, Paws, Claws and More - Kentucky

Mar 28, 2012:  Additional charges for alleged animal abuser

For the first time in a month and half, alleged animal abuser Shannon Lacewell was in court Wednesday morning. Prosecutors added 96 additional charges of animal cruelty.

On Feb. 14, the Animal Rescue Corps along with the Graves County Sheriff's Department raided her "Paws, Claws and More" shelter and seized 96 starving and sick dogs. They also found nine dead dogs on the property.

Lacewell is due back in court next Wednesay for a pre-trial conference and arraignment for a drug possession charge. She is out on bond and is legally barred from housing any domestic animals of any kind at this time..."  More & video

Animal rescue group wants charges against Lacewell upgraded 

Friend who blew whistle on alleged animal cruelty speaks out 

Woman charged with animal cruelty speaks out 

Authorities serve warrant at local animal shelter 

Mar 15, 2012:  100 dogs rescued after raid at southern KY facility

by Kevin Young

About 100 dogs seized in Kentucky are settling in at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds after they were taken Tuesday from a property in southern Kentucky that claimed to be a rescue operation.

The Graves County Sheriffs Department and members of the Animal Rescue Corps raided "Paws and Claws" in Wingo, KY.

According to ARC, the animals were living in filthy conditions, didn't have access to food and many were in poor health.

They also said they found several dead dogs on the property.

The dogs will remain at the fairgrounds for now, where they'll be checked out by vets and receive vaccinations and care..."  More

Pictures from Animal Rescue Corp FB page (graphic): here

Jun 23, 2010:  Dogs found dead at shelter


Union City police responded to the animal shelter on Sunday and found two dead dogs.

Someone called the police department around 2:40 p.m. Sunday to report a dog outside the fence at 311 North Fifth St. possibly suffering from a seizure.

According to the report, when the police arrived, a black puppy crawled out of a hole in the fence and walked up to the patrol unit.

No dog was found to be in distress outside the fence but, upon further inspection of the grounds, “it was evident that there was a dead dog inside one of the pens,” the report states.

Officers retrieved the key for the shelter from the police department office and contacted Police Chief Joe Garner, who responded to the scene. Once inside, the officers found several dog pens without any water and none had any food.

The report stated that the National Weather Service reported the temperature to be around 94 degrees with a heat index of around 104. A heat advisory had also been issued for the area.

Officers reported dispatch attempted to contact shelter manager Sarah Dodd of Hickman, Ky., and got no answer. Around 2:57 p.m., dispatch was able to reach Ms. Dodd’s mother, Shannon Lacewell (who runs Paws, Claws and More in Wingo, Ky.), who said she would have a volunteer meet officers at the shelter. Samantha Watson did arrive a short time later. And interim city manager Kathy Dillon was contacted by Garner and she also came to the shelter.

According to the report, after officers were able to get inside the trailer at the shelter, they found another puppy deceased inside a cage and more caged dogs did not have any food or water.

Ms. Lacewell arrived at the shelter and told police volunteer Tish Rutherford had been there at 1:15 p.m. and had fed and watered all animals.

She said the dogs turn over their food and water bowls constantly and that is why none of them had any water.

She also said the dead dog outside was from a litter that was infected with parvovirus and that the puppy inside the trailer had been sick for a while and was being treated with antibiotics. She said many of the young dogs that come to the shelter are infected with parvovirus and die while there.

Ms. Dodd did arrive at the shelter while officers were there and confirmed the statements made by Ms. Lacewell about the water bowls and the dead animals.

Ms. Dodd and Ms. Lacewell then gave all the animals water and removed the dead animals from the pens.

Ms. Dodd told police they almost always have volunteers working in shifts to try to make sure the dogs are checked about every two hours...." More

Glenda Marie Cagle & James Edward Cagle - Knoxville, Tennessee

Aug 25, 2010: Siblings charged in South Knox dog hoarding case accept plea deal

A pair of south Knoxville siblings accused in a dog hoarding case have pleaded guilty.

Glenda Marie Cagle and James Edward Cagle were charged with animal cruelty.

More than two dozen of them had to be put down, but the rest wererehabilitated and taken to rescue agencies or adopted into good homes. Animal rescue officials nicknamed the dogs the Tennessee Toe Hounds, because most of them had an extra toe.

As part of their plea deal, some of the charges against the Cagles were dropped or reduced. They will avoid jail time, as long as they abide by the court's orders. The judge ordered them not to own any animals for at least two years, and will have to seek counseling. Animal control will make home visits to ensure they are abiding by the judge's orders..." More

Jun 13, 2010: Hoarding a danger to people, animals

By Chloe White Kennedy

On April 22, animal control officers removed 76 dogs from a South Knoxville house on Neubert Springs Road. They had to wade through animal feces 6 inches to a foot deep inside to remove the animals, some of which had hidden behind wall panels.

Residents Glenda Marie Cagle, 64, and James Edward Cagle, 67, were charged with five counts each of aggravated animal cruelty. They are due in court July 13.

The house was condemned by a city codes enforcement inspector, and 29 of the 76 dogs were euthanized because they were too aggressive, suffered severe health problems or were too malnourished to be nursed back to health, according to Young-Williams Animal Center Executive Director Tim Adams.

The remaining 47 dogs have received veterinary care at the center and evaluations from local and

ASPCA animal behaviorists. Sixteen have been moved to the adoption floor. As of Friday, five had been adopted and nine faced residential training to prepare them for adoption..." More

May 13, 2010: Animal lovers walk fine line between rescue, addiction

By Amanda Greever

Sometimes people really just don’t know when to stop.

Let me use alcoholism as an example. For those battling the bottle, alcohol is a need. It might start small, but the victim keeps knocking back shots or drinks as if they were water. For an alcoholic, one drink is too many but 10 is never enough.

A couple of weeks back I saw a story on the news that left me in tears. More than 70 dogs were removed from a home in South Knoxville. About 30 of them had to be euthanized due to the treatment they’d received. The dogs were malnourished and about six inches of feces covered the floor..."" More

Apr 26, 2010: Son of accused Knoxville dog hoarder says father has reached out

By HANA KIM

The son of a man charged with animal cruelty for hoarding more than 70 dogs in South Knoxville said his father has reached out to him for help.

James Cagle, Jr. doesn't know how long his father, James Edward Cagle, and aunt, Glenda Marie Cagle, had been living in their house in deplorable conditions.

"Last couple of years I think he's not been associating with anyone," his son said.

He added that he's been estranged from his father for years until Sunday when his dad reached out to him for help.

"He was bawling in tears, grabbing me up, something he hasn't done in a while. It tore my heart out to see him so upset," his son said.

On Monday, his son was at the condemned home on Neubert Springs Road looking for anything worth saving before it's demolished..." More & video

Apr 25, 2010: Both suspects out on bond in Knoxville animal cruelty case

The brother and sister charged in a large animal cruelty investigation in Knoxville are both out on bond.

Deputies say James Cagle was released from the Knox County Detention Facility on Saturday.

His sister, Glenda Cagle, was released on bond Sunday night.

The two are facing felony charges after more than 75 dogs were seized from their home in South Knoxville Thursday..." More

Apr 23, 2010: Knoxville animal center begins rehabilitating rescued dogs

By JAMIE LYNN DROHAN

The majority of the dogs rescued from a brother and sister charged with animal cruelty remain at Young-Williams Animal Center in Knoxville Friday for rehabilitation.

Officials say they're not ready for adoption yet, but donations are being accepted.

Officers took more than 70 dogs from the home of Glenda Marie Cagle, 64, and her brother, James Edward Cagle, 67, in South Knoxville Thursday afternoon.

Officers unloaded the dogs at the animal center and veterinarians assessed their health in a triage set up to handle the large number.

Many of the 47 remaining dogs are in poor condition. Some have protruding bones or patches of fur missing..." More & video

Apr 22, 2010: 76 dogs removed from South Knoxville home, brother and sister charged

By MONA NAIR

A brother and sister were charged Thursday with several counts of felony animal cruelty after officers removed 76 dogs from their South Knoxville home over two days.

Glenda Marie Cagle, 64, and James Edward Cagle, 67, were arrested at different times Thursday at their home at 5412 Neubert Springs Road near Martin Mill Pike.

James Cagle was missing from the house Thursday afternoon, he returned in the evening and was taken into custody in the back yard without incident.

Police and animal control officers arrived at the home with a search warrant at 12:33 p.m. and started removing the dogs after receiving an anonymous tip from neighbors.

Officers couldn't open the door to the house because there was about a foot of dog feces in the way. Police said waste was six inches to 1.5 feet deep throughout the house. Very upset dogs also met them at the door.

As the dogs tried to escape, one was mauled and eaten by other dogs.

When officers were finally able to start removing the dogs, they got about 30 before they said Glenda Cagle came out wearing a bathrobe and slippers covered in feces.

Glenda Cagle insisted the dogs were healthy, and were fed one bag of dog food a day. When told about the dogs eating the one dog, she said, "Oh, they do that.".." More & video

85 Dogs Removed From Hoarder

The ASPCA’s Field Investigations and Response Team was deployed to Waynesboro, Tenn., on June 17 to assist the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department with a critical hoarding intervention.

A total of 85 dogs—including German Shepherds, Labradors and Hound mixes—were discovered in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions on a property owned by an elderly man. The dogs were contained in large pens, chained to posts throughout the yard and found roaming the property.

“The dumping of dogs is a serious problem throughout this area and local authorities are without the resources or infrastructure to handle the problem,” says Kyle Held, the ASPCA’s Midwest Regional Director of Field Investigations and Response. “In this case, an elderly man became overwhelmed by the number of dogs in his care—he obviously needed help and voluntarily gave us custody of the animals.”

Twelve of the rescued dogs have since been moved—via the ASPCA’s new, custom-built animal transport trailer—to the ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York City where they are undergoing medical treatment before being made available for adoption.

“Many of the dogs tested heartworm positive,” says Dr. Robert Reisman, Medical Coordinator of Abuse Cases at the ASPCA. “Heartworm is a treatable condition, but it will take at least six to eight weeks until the treatment is complete.”..." More

More info & pictures on the ASPCA site: here

Charles Perkins - Blout County, Tennessee

Jun 23, 2010: Some dogs rescued from Blount County property may have been stolen.

By Iva Butler

Some of the dogs rescued from dismal circumstances Friday night at a remote Wildwood Road residence may have owners.

Blount County Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSCPA) seized 20 dogs from the property.

Authorities have charged the property owner, Charles Arden Perkins, 63, with cruelty to animals...

...Anyone recognizing their pet can call BCSPCA President Vickey Dennis at 256-9106 or the shelter at 980-6244...""More & pictures

Jun 19, 2010: Case of animal ‘hoarding' results in arrest

By Mark Boxley

In a macabre scene that included skulls that had been hung in trees and remains of dogs — at least a dozen — left to rot on the metal roof of a small outbuilding on a heavily wooded piece of property on Wildwood Road in Maryville, 20 live animals were removed from the property and remains of 22 more were found.

Investigators expect to find more, with remains of as many as 100 dead dogs possibly left strewn across several acres, covered by leaves and thick wooded underbrush..." More & video (graphic)

Jun 18, 2010: Dozens of living and dead dogs found on Blount County property

Steve Butera

A Blount County man is behind bars, charged with animal cruelty.

Kellie Bachman, with the Blount County SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), said they got a tip that took them to the home of Charles Perkins, 63, on Wildwood Road, back in January. At that time, Perkins had 30 dogs on his property. Perkins agreed then to reduce the number of animals to four, which he did, for a while.

Then on Tuesday, Bachman said one of Perkin's dogs ran into the road and was hit by a car. When animal control officers came to assist, the dog ran back on to the property. The officers followed, and discovered a number of living and deceased dogs.

"The animals had collars that were too tight and embedded. They were tied to small leads and confined into a small area," said Bachman.

The SPCA obtained a search warrant and served it Friday afternoon. Officials found and removed around 20 live dogs, and found the bodies of 20 dead dogs. They also discovered the skeletal remains of other dogs. They estimate that number could reach 100 by the time they check the entire property.

The surviving dogs are being removed and taken to the Blount County Animal Center for evaluation and treatment.

"(We'll) go ahead and start cataloging the live animals to get them to a shelter for some relief and get them off the property," said Bachman.

Perkins surrendered the dogs, and was arrested.

Bachman also says a white Dodge Ram pickup truck spotted on the property matches the description of a vehicle seen in areas where dogs have gone missing..." More & video

Hoarding a danger to people, animals

By Chloe White Kennedy

"...East Tennessee has recorded several animal hoarding cases in recent months. Some cats and dogs were saved; dozens more were in such bad shape they had to be euthanized. One home has been condemned, another completely demolished. Two Knoxvillians are awaiting prosecution for cruelty to animals.

Experts consider animal hoarding to be a mental health problem, but its effects can reach far beyond the individual. Hoarding subjects innocent animals to disease and cannibalism, can cost thousands of dollars when a community is forced to intervene, and poses a health threat to the population at large.

And often the animal hoarders have no idea of the harm they're causing. They may start by keeping a few animals that rapidly multiply.

"It's such a paradox, because you have people who love animals … but they can't provide for their basic needs," said Knox County Assistant District Attorney General Joanie Stewart...." More

More Than 90 Cats Removed From Southeast Memphis Home

Wednesday afternoon, animal control officers were called to a home in the 7000 block of Cannondale Cove in Southeast Memphis. They removed 91 cats.

The woman who owns the cats contacted officers from the hospital saying she needed help taking care of them. Neighbors say they had no idea there were so many.

Chuck Martin said, “We never had any clue, like I said, I'd see ‘em in the windows when I was cutting grass and that was it...two weeks ago I asked her how many she had. She said, ‘a lot.’ ”

Neighbors say the woman often referred to the cats as "her children". A veterinarian is checking the cats. The Humane Society is helping to provide temporary shelter...." More

Understanding extreme hoarding

Mark Edwards

"A person simply is hardwired that way and are born with the pre-disposition to have hoarding."

Jerry Fried has been working with hoarding disorder patients for more than 20-years, and says in this community, thousands are affected. but far less by what was discovered yesterday.

"It's about just 26 people of the population of Knoxville have severe hoarding."

But what makes people want to hoard...Especially animals?

Fried said "They tend to have great and strong beliefs, that they might be put to sleep. If not for me they...God gave me these animals to take care of and just really extreme kinds of beliefs."..." More & video

Over 100 Cats Found In Home

Eric Hardin

More than 100 cats are rescued from a suburban Knoxville, Tennessee home. Humane society officials calling this one of the worst cases of animal hoarding they've ever seen.

Officials say many of the cats had never been handled by humans, which caused the process to move slowly.

The home coming to light last week after the mother was involved in a car accident, and put on life support.

First responders went into the home and found cats all over, even behind walls and in the attic.

A temporary shelter has been made for the cats until new homes can be found..." More

Humane Society rescues nearly 90 cats from Rutledge home

The Humane Society of the United States helped rescue nearly 90 cats today from a home on Rutledge Pike saturated with feces and urine, officials said.

“Some of the cats were blinded by the ammonia stench,” spokeswoman Jordan Crump said. “It was impossible to breathe in there. It’s a typical hoarding situation. From the outside, it looks like a perfectly normal brick house. You’d never guess what was going on inside.”

A landlord discovered the cats earlier this week after a car crash hospitalized the tenant, an elderly woman who lived there with a mentally disabled daughter, Crump said. No charges are expected against the owner, she said.

“He opened the door and found the cats everywhere,” Crump said. “There were holes in the walls and ceilings where some of the cats were living.”..." More

John Garrison - Puppy Mill, Marshall County, Mississippi

Feb 6, 2010: Deputy coroner owns alledged puppy mill

By Toni Lepeska

An investigation continued Friday into a possible puppy mill located on property in Marshall County owned by the deputy coroner, John Garrison, and his wife.

A team led by the Marshall County Sheriff's Department and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals seized more than 90 dogs and puppies Thursday in a raid on the property at 210 Turner Cove.

The Garrisons signed over custody of the animals to officials. No charges had been made Friday. Sheriff Kenny Dickerson said the investigation was continuing.

An ASPCA representative said dogs and puppies, mostly small breeds, were discovered living in feces-encrusted pens. Several dead dogs also were found.

Tim Rickey, the ASPCA's senior director of field investigations and response, defined puppy mills as "substandard commercial breeding operations that house dogs in overcrowded and often unsanitary conditions, without adequate veterinary care, food, water and socialization."..." More

Feb 4, 2010: 95 Dogs Found At MS Puppy Mill

By: Shaun Chaiyabhat

• 95 dogs found living in "deplorable" conditions at puppy mill
• Several carcasses discovered on property
• MS couple expected to be charged with misdemeanor Animal Cruelty

A tip led investigators to a rural home where they discovered one of the worst puppy mills they've ever seen.

A Mississippi couple faces dozens of misdemeanor counts of Animal Cruelty. Investigators with the Marshall County Sheriff's Office and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals found 95 dogs living in what they call "deplorable conditions" early Thursday. Animal experts say the type of matted hair found on some of the dogs took years to grow. It's proof, they say, of neglect and abuse of 95 dogs found on the property. Investigators think the operation had gone on for a while, even though neighbors say they never suspected anything. It's possible the couple took in animals, but then just had too many to care for. At some point, authorities say they started to breed more -- for profit.

"I think she's probably a very nice person and she's trying to help these animals out," says Mary Champlin who lives next door.

Neighbors watch in shock, as one by one the animals are tagged and evaluated. Most have disease and malnutrition. Marshall County Prosecutor Shirley Byers says she found carcasses all over the property, skeletal remains inside pens, and a pile of ash where she thinks the homeowners disposed of dead animals..." More & video

Shelter head: Seized dogs in poor health

by Becky Campbell


While animal control authorities were shuttling eight rescue dogs seized from a local doggy day care to a vet, a woman who worked there was being arraigned Friday for filing a false police report saying she was attacked at the business when someone broke in and stole 14 other rescue dogs.

Ashli N. Thomas, 24, is charged with filing a false report and eight counts of animal cruelty in an alleged stabbing and dog-napping incident at Cool School for Dogs on West Market Street that has twisted and turned with each new piece of information.

Thomas’ aunt and uncle, Brad and Tammara Josselyn, who own Cool School for Dogs, are also charged with eight counts of animal cruelty due to the condition of some of the animals at the day care...." More & video

Animal hoarding creates even more dangerous conditions

BY JESSICA BLISS

In her 10 years as a professional organizer, Samantha Pointer's worst experience was working with a woman who had 15 cats. Urine and feces covered the house, soaking through the floorboards and eating through the metal on the fireplace.

Cat hair was clumped everywhere; the stench was horrific. The woman didn't even eat in her own house anymore.

"I would have to go outside and take breaks because I was sick to my stomach," said Pointer, owner of Nashville's Get It Together! "It was really mentally draining."

Animal hoarding — a manifestation of the mental disorder marked by the obsessive need to acquire and keep many objects — is often done without ill intention or understanding of its harm. Still, in many cases animal hoarders live in unsanitary conditions where excrement and dander covers the house and ammonia fills the air, creating a dangerous and unhealthy environment for pets and people.

"Oftentimes this is someone who will drive along, see an animal, pick it up and honestly believe they are the only person in the world who cares for this animal or who will provide anything for this animal," Judy Ladebauche, director of Metro Animal Care and Control..." More

New Homes Sought For Seized Animals

Bedford County Pets Taken From Home In November

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. -- The Bedford County Animal Control is looking for new homes for dozens of pets.

Authorities last month rescued more than 40 neglected birds, cats and dogs from a Unionville home.

All but two of the animals are available for adoption online, according to the Shelbyville Times-Gazette.

Caretakers said it has been difficult to find new homes for the rescued dogs, which includes 12 coon dogs.

"Just call the shelter. We'll be more than happy to set up a time when people can visit with them, spend some time with them. Even if you can't take one home, it's a good thing to get them out of the shelter, out of the cage and take them for a walk," said Michael Gregory of the Bedford County Animal Control.

It costs $65 to adopt an animal, but the adoptee gets $50 back when the animal is spayed or neutered.

Visit the Bedford County Animal Control's Petfinder Page to learn how to adopt the animals..." More & video

Pine Bluff Kennels: Patricia Adlkisson

Dec 16, 2009: Ex-workers testify in animal hoarding trial: video

CENTERVILLE, Tenn. -- A Hickman County woman charged with hoarding hundreds of animals at her home is set to stand trial.

Jury selection is expected to begin Wednesday in Centerville for the case against Patricia Adkisson. She is accused of unlawfully transporting dogs or cats, and giving rabies shots without proper certification in 2008.

Authorities seized 700 animals from Adkisson's property last year. Many were in poor health and living in what investigators called "deplorable" conditions.

Adkisson was ordered to undergo a mental evaluation back in August. Based on the results, a judge ruled she could stand trial..." More

July 2, 2008: Worker: Farm Owner Killed Unadoptable Dogs
June 30, 2008: Couple Says Pet From Suspected Puppy Mill
June 25, 2008: Hundreds Of Animals Removed From Area Farm
June 30, 2008: Atlanta Helps In Hickman County Puppy Rescue
June 27, 2008: Shelters Across U.S. Take In Animals
June 27, 2008: Animal Rescue Could Be Country's Largest

Roane Breeder: Marjorie Dodd

Dec 14, 2009: Animals from Roane County alleged puppy mill all removed

By Anthony Welsch

After six weeks of legal limbo, Roane County agents have seized an additional two dozen dogs from an alleged puppy mill near Midtown.

Monday morning, a judge ruled Marjorie Dodd, 72, must turn over all her remaining animals to the county. Dodd faces a dozen charges, a half dozen for animal cruelty and another half dozen for failure to vaccinate against rabies.

If Dodd is found to have animals again, Johnathan Sanchez, an investigator for the District Attorney's office says her current misdemeanor charges could be upgraded to felony charges.

"They've done a great job today, going back on the property and getting these dogs out, we're tickled with what's gone on," Karen Marquand, of the Small Breed Rescue of East Tennessee said..." More & video

Nov 9, 2009: Accused Harriman puppy mill operator charged with cruelty to animals

By Bob Fowler

A woman under investigation for operating a puppy mill has been charged with six counts of animal cruelty after authorities for the third time discovered dogs jammed together in poorly ventilated sheds, jerry-built pens and portable carriers.

Virtually all of the 90 dogs and puppies found on Marjorie Dodd's Poland Hollow Road property in Harriman on Wednesday had health problems ranging from infected jaws to mange to flea infestations, John Sanchez said.

Twenty-eight animals with the most severe health issues were seized, said Sanchez, an investigator with the Roane County District Attorney General's office.

Dodd, 72, has been cited for six counts of animal cruelty. Future charges would be upgraded from misdemeanors to felonies, Sanchez said.

Wednesday's raid by Roane County animal control officers was the third time in two years that authorities have inspected Dodd's property.

Nearly 100 dogs were found there in August 2008, when Dodd was given an "ultimatum" to improve the animals' living conditions, Sanchez said.

Fifteen animals seized then were in such poor condition they had to be euthanized, he said.

Inspectors returned last August and conditions were essentially unchanged, with 149 dogs and puppies there.

Authorities found much the same situation Wednesday, with the animals in "extremely cramped conditions," Sanchez said..." More