By JOSH AULT
6 News Reporter
SEVIERVILLE (WATE) - A Knox County couple has pleaded guilty to illegally housing more than 100 exotic animals.
The owners of the animals, Kimberly Elaine Smith and William Anthony Smith, pleaded guilty to animal cruelty and illegal possession of exotic wildlife on Friday.
They were both sentenced to 11 months and 29 days of probation.
The animals were rescued from their home back in December and taken to several animal sanctuaries including Horse Haven, Tiger Haven, Young-Williams Animal Center, and Rainforest Adventures Zoo.
The majority of the animals were taken to Rainforest Adventures Zoo in Sevierville.
"We got about one hundred animals from about 140 that he had," said zoo keeper Jill Van Kempen.
The zoo received snakes, birds, turtles, and a monkey.
"All the animals are in the process of finding new homes, so we are talking to other zoos who want them," said Van Kempen.
Some of the animals will stay at the zoo, including a pair of two-headed turtles which are already on display. The turtles are very rare and zoo officials are unsure where the owners got them at. They seem to be very healthy.
"You have to keep them in shallow water," explained Van Kempen. "Normally turtles can submerge and swim, but with two heads one can fall asleep and drown the other head."
The turtles were not the only unusual animals rescued. There were several snakes with genetic mutations.
"They came in really dirty, filthy, nasty cages," said Van Kempen. "The conditions they were in were obviously neglectful, but we kind of turned it around. The really sick ones are doing really well. They are great so far."
The couple who owned the animals had to surrender all of the animals and will not be allowed to own any animals during their probation.
Their home was condemned after the animals were removed.
© A two-headed turtle seized in the raid
