13-07-2025
113 Dogs Were Rescued from a Tennessee 'Puppy Mill' amid Deplorable Living Conditions: ‘Stuff of Nightmares'
More than 100 dogs were rescued from a home in Tennessee on Wednesday, July 9
Animal Rescue Corps (ARC), a local animal rescue organization, stated that the home was being used as a "puppy mill" and that the animals were severely neglected
The ARC has since rescued 113 dogs from the site and is currently administering medical care to the animalsMore than 100 dogs were rescued from a "puppy mill" in Tennessee, according to authorities and a local animal rescue.
The Cheatham County Sheriff's Office said it was assisting Cheatham County Animal Control with a suspected case of animal cruelty at a home in Joelton on Wednesday, July 9, per a press release issued by the office.
'Upon arrival, several dogs were found in poor living conditions,' authorities said, adding that animals are now being cared for by animal control and the Animal Rescue Corps (ARC).
According to Michael Cunningham, ARC's director of administration, the floor of the home was covered in so much urine and feces that it rose to nearly a foot up the walls in every room, per local news outlet WKRN.
In a statement on its website, ARC said that its team dubbed the mission 'Operation Breaking Point.'
The surviving dogs include Maltese, Havanese, Yorkies and other 'designer' mixes, per ARC. Many of the dogs showed signs of untreated infections, parasites, dehydration and matting, along with parvo exposure.
There were also a number of vulnerable newborn puppies onsite.
Any dogs deemed to be in critical condition were rushed from the property to an emergency veterinarian hospital. All the other dogs were transported for recovery at ARC's Rescue Center outside Gallatin, per the statement.
'These dogs have spent their lives being bred, bought, sold and treated like nothing more than commodities. But each one of the 100-plus dogs rescued today is an individual deserving love, care and a bright future,' ARC stated. The organization also said that in addition to ensuring 'the safe extraction of every single dog,' they also planned to 'document' the cruelty for future prosecution.
In a follow-up statement on Friday, June 10, ARC said that 113 dogs in total had been rescued and that the animals were currently getting 'well-deserved sleep on clean, cozy beds.' ARC also shared that two of the dogs had since given birth to puppies.
'The true face of the puppy mill industry is the stuff of nightmares. Thanks to everyone sharing their story, donating, volunteering and always choosing rescue and adoption,' the organization added.
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It is unclear if any person or people have been charged in connection with the incident at this time.
PEOPLE reached out to the Cheatham County Sheriff's Office for comment on Friday, July 11, but did not receive an immediate response.
If you would like to donate to help the Animal Rescue Corps continue to provide vital support to the animals rescued during Operation Breaking Point, you can do so here.
Read the original article on People
