Operation Caged Hell

Henry Co, Buchanan, TN | Animal Rescue Corps (ARC), a national nonprofit animal protection organization, assisted the Henry County Sheriff’s Department on Thursday with the removal of 622 animals living in horrendous conditions on a property in Buchanan, TN; where a toddler was also found living in a cage. In the room where the child was found were also large snakes, some of which were ten feet long; as well as mice, rats, and other small animals. The property owner and two others living in the trailer were arrested and taken to the Henry County Jail. They have been charged with aggravated child abuse, aggravated cruelty to animals, cruelty to animals, manufacturing of marijuana, as well as other charges related to weapons found on the property. Additional charges are pending, and all three individuals are being held with a $300,000 bond each. On Saturday, the owner of the animals agreed to surrender 100% of the animals seized on this property. Animal Rescue Corps dubbed this rescue Operation Caged Hell.

In total 726 animals were removed which included 65 dogs (including puppies born during the rescue), three cats, 545 rodents, three marsupials, four caged birds, 86 chickens, eight snakes, ten rabbits, one pheasant, and one gecko. The animals were found in and around a dilapidated trailer and out-buildings. Make-shift pens made from rusty scrap metal and old wire fencing containing dogs, chickens, and rabbits littered the front yard. Dead animals were found among the living in these pens surrounded by trash, debris, and scrap metal. Loose dogs and cats roamed the overgrown yard as well as inside the trailer which was filled with trash, feces, urine, cobwebs, cockroaches, and large glass tanks containing large snakes, mice, and rats. Seventeen firearms, including an AR15, were also found on the property, as well as 127 marijuana plants.

Responding to a complaint of animal abuse, the Henry County Sheriff’s department arrived at the property and through the open front door, could see the caged child. Upon entering the trailer, the ammonia from the urine and feces was overwhelming and cockroaches and flies covered the walls, floors, and other surfaces. The child was removed from the trailer, and placed in the custody of Child Protective Services. Animal Rescue Corps was called in to assist with removing and caring for hundreds of the animals. All of the animals lacked appropriate care, shelter, and access to food and clean water. Other conditions included internal and external parasites, eye injuries, skin diseases, emaciation, untreated wounds, severe dental disease, as well as other illnesses and symptoms of severe neglect. Many of the small animals were kept in containers that were completely full of feces to the point that it restricted the movement of the animals. Animal Rescue Corps had responded to a request for help two days earlier, on Tuesday, to assist Henry County deputies with the removal of 45 dogs found living in extremely dangerous conditions on a property in Paris, TN.

Type: Emergency Rescue

Date: June 25, 2020

Location: Henry Co, Buchanan, TN, USA

Rescue Total: 622, Dogs: 65, Cats: 3, Rodents: 545, Chickens: 1, Birds: 4, Reptiles/Other: 4

“We simply could not have done this without the Animal Rescue Corps. They helped us tremendously for the second time this week.” Henry County Sheriff, Monte Belew