By JOSH AULT
6 News Reporter
CROSSVILLE (WATE) - A couple is charged with animal cruelty after 33 dogs in deplorable conditions were rescued from their Cumberland County home Tuesday.
The Humane Society of the United States and other local agencies helped deputies with the rescue at the home at 1181 Gray Fox Drive in Crossville.
The couple who owned the dogs, Marcie and Thomas Uchytil, is charged with animal cruelty.
A Humane Society spokesperson said they found 14 large and medium mix-breed dogs chained to trees around the property without adequate shelter.
They also found 19 Chihuahuas living in small crates in a shed without ventilation, running water or electricity.
Some of the dogs are very thin and have severe skin conditions, infections, and other conditions like tick-borne diseases.
The owners relinquished custody of every dog but one to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.
Officials say seven of the dogs were kept in Crossville. The rest were taken to Chattanooga and Nashville.
"Honestly, I've seen a lot worse," said All About Rescue and Fixin' Director Jennifer Farley. "I've seen a lot worse, especially around here."
Farley found the foster homes for the dogs in Crossville. She's taking care of two of them.
"I can't say no," said AARF volunteer Jackie Baker. "I just have to help, have to help them."
Baker took in one of the sickest dogs, a Pitt Bull mix she has named Wendy.
"She has a terrible, terrible skin condition," said Baker. "It's a bacterial infection. She has to take heavy duty antibiotics. They de-wormed her so if she has any parasites that should take care of the thinness."
Baker says the dog should be healthy in about two months.
Even though they only have seven dogs in Crossville, donations are still needed.
"Right now we are in desperate need of donations to assist with vet care for a lot of these dogs," Farley sad. "Wendy over there, she is going on the 30 days of antibiotics, then whatever follow-up treatment she is going to need."
Farley says she doesn't think the couple charged in this case was meaning to do harm, but if they had only spayed and neutered their animals this would not have happened.
Along with monetary donations, foster homes are also desperately needed for future cases. Right now, AARF only has 15 foster homes available.
If you'd like to donate to AARF, call Jennifer Farley at 931-261-7045.
Marcie Uchytil (source: Cumberland County Sheriff's Office)
Thomas Uchytil (source: Cumberland County Sheriff's Office)
Some of the dogs are very thin and have severe skin conditions.
Nineteen Chihuahuas were living in small crates in a shed without ventilation.
