Roughly 60 Animals Recovered In Dunlap Home

Sequatchie County deputies served a warrant on a home in Dunlap today.

They found numerous dogs in cages in and outside the house.

Approximately 60 dogs as well as 8 cats, a parrot and a goat were rescued from atrocious conditions at a Dunlap residence.

The animals, many in need of urgent veterinary care, were living in absolute filth.

"This is really a sad sad thing, a sad situation. Animals are in very very bad condition," says Saquatchie County Sheriff Ronnie Hitchcock.

Officials on scene say they’ve been working on the case for three weeks now.

However, the search was much more extensive than they originally planned for.

"There are animals in rusty cages, living in their own urine and feces. These dogs are caked and crusted with their own feces, and they have their skin burned from laying in their own urine. There are animals in here that are emaciated; where you can see every bone in their body. So, it’s a pretty gruesome scene inside," says Leighann Lassiter with the Humane Society of the United States.

Lassiter says the Sequatchie County deputies were instrumental in this operation.

"From the second we first presented them with this case, they jumped on it and ran with it and now there are a whole lot of animals who have a new chance at life and they don’t have to live in this hell anymore," says Lassiter.

The local Humane Educational Society agreed to assist the agencies by providing temporary housing.

"I have agreed to receive up to 35 dogs and 6 cats to assist in this operation," says Bob Citrullo with the Humane Educational Society in downtown Chattanooga.

Sequatchie County deputies have arrested Geoffrey Peterson, who is the homeowner at this residence.

"There is absolutely evidence of animal cruelty as soon as you walk through the door of this house," says Lassiter.

So far, Peterson is charged with 4 counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty, 1 count of Animal Cruelty, and 1 count of Possession of morphine.

Officials say more charges are pending.

To learn more about the Humane Society and their Rescue Team, visit www.humanesociety.org