Manchester, TN – American Dog Rescue teamed up on another great rescue mission last week, providing key funding for Animal Rescue Corps (ARC) which in turn assisted the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office in the rescue of 85 adult dogs and puppies and four cats found living in extremely neglectful conditions at a home in Manchester, TN, about an hour northwest of Chattanooga. The animals were surrendered by the property owner.

Dogs of a variety of breeds, including Golden Retrievers, Shih Tzus, Yorkshire Terriers, Border Collies, Poodles, and Great Pyrenees, were found emaciated, living in complete darkness, several inches deep in their own feces, soaked in urine, in dangerously high levels of ammonia. Dogs were found in a garage in plastic and wire crates that were rusted shut and covered in cobwebs, in a barn in makeshift, pressed wood stalls with no windows, and locked in rooms of the house, surrounded by garbage and trashed belongings. The dogs themselves were so filthy and matted that some of their breeds were not immediately identifiable and some were matted to their cages by their own excrement. Animals were found in critical condition and rushed off the property to a veterinary hospital for emergency care. A wheelbarrow full of 10 deceased dogs covered in maggots was found on the property.

ARC received an emergency call for assistance from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office yesterday evening. The agency had received a complaint earlier on Saturday and responded to the property, where they found numerous violations of county and state animal cruelty codes.

“It was immediately obvious that we were going to need assistance in removing this large number of animals and getting them to safety as quickly as possible,” said Coffee County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Danny Ferrell. “Animal Rescue Corps was the only organization who could help us both document the scene and safely remove the animals and they were on the ground in less than 12 hours.”

ARC safely removed the animals from the property and transported them to an emergency shelter set up by ARC for this rescue, dubbed Operation Midnight Run. Each animal will receive a thorough veterinary exam, appropriate vaccinations, and any necessary medical treatment. ARC will provide daily care until the dogs are placed with approved shelter and rescue organizations around the country that will ultimately adopt them into loving homes.

Animal Rescue Corps performed Operation Midnight Run in conjunction with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office. American Dog Rescue and BISSELL Pet Foundation provided critical financial resources. New Leash On Life – Middle Tennessee Animal Welfare Organization in Lebanon, TN and PetSmart Charities® contributed essential equipment and supplies. Animal House Veterinary Clinic in Clarksville, TN and Premier Vet Care in Smyrna, TN provided emergency veterinary care for this rescue.