NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
The more than 100 dogs rescued from a Wilson County home received physical exams and other necessary treatment on Wednesday.
The canines were removed from a property outside of Lebanon on Tuesday morning.
"They're nervous, they're scared, and they've never had anybody's hands on them so they don't know what to expect," said Heather Robertson, a veterinarian with the Nashville Zoo volunteering her time.
When officials arrived to the property, they found about 110 medium to large dogs, various mixes of breeds, living in pens without doors and full of feces.
Many of the rescued dogs suffer from medical conditions such as mange, broken legs, bone disorders and blindness, because they have not had daily care or medical attention.
Animal Rescue Corps safely removed all of the dogs from the property and transported them to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in Nashville, where they are expected to remain in upcoming days.
ARC is prepared to care of the animals until they can be placed with shelters and rescue groups.
On Wednesday dozens of volunteers spent time cleaning crates and feeding the dogs.
Alice Tessmann first volunteered with ARC during their Valentine's Day rescue effort, dubbed Operation Sweetheart.
She and her husband were back on the Fourth of July to help out.
"We ended up bringing home one of the sweet little dogs. His name is Bentley, and he's just a joy," said Tessmann, who added, "It makes you feel great, because you know this is the beginning of a wonderful life for them."
Lori Elam dropped her plans with family and friends to volunteer.
"We're here, obviously for the animals" said Elam, "I wouldn't be any place else."
Elam told Nashville's News 2 she plans to volunteer for a few more days, "You can start to see their eyes are getting a little bit wider. They're starting to come to the end of the cages. They're starting to calm down and not be so stressful."
ARC said it will likely be another two weeks before they will be able to move out from the state fairgrounds.
By that time, ARC hopes to place all the dogs with Mid-State foster groups and shelters, who can then find the animals new homes.
Anyone interested in volunteering with the Animal Rescue Corps, should send an email to volunteer@animalrescuecorps.org, with the subject line "Operation Freedom Dogs." Include your name, contact info, and availability.
You can also donate cash, gift cards to major stores, or make food donations towards lunches for volunteers.
ARC is also requesting pine shavings.
Wilson County authorities said the property owner would be cited and placed on probation for a year.
Sheriff's investigators added, the woman has been warned if she does this again, she will be arrested and taken to jail.
Previous Story:
