SPARTA, TN (WSMV) -
About 70 animals ranging from cats to a donkey were seized Monday morning in White County.
The local sheriff's office called it a hoarding situation and partnered with an animal rescue group to collect the animals.
Other animals seized from the property include 24 chickens, 12 rabbits, 12 dogs (including a Great Pyrenees mix, a Chow mix, a Border Collie mix, and small terrier mixes), seven cats, six ducks, three Musk turtles, a goose, goat and donkey.
Most of the animals were underweight and suffered from external parasites and untreated wounds, according the Animal Rescue Corps.
The group said living conditions were "hazardous to their physical, social, and emotional well being and no animals had access to clean water or sufficient food."
"The conditions on this property are deplorable. There's not an animal here that's not suffering," said Scotlund Haisley, with Animal Rescue Corps.
The property was filled with animals kept in cages. The property owner seemed to run out of room, because some animals were even chained in the woods.
Officials said the property owner called the White County sheriff to his property and said he had a recent influx of animals and couldn't take for.
Animal Rescue Corps workers removed the animals and took them to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, where they'll be rehabilitated along with 100 others retrieved just six days ago by ARC at a hoarding site in Lebanon.
Sheriff's officials said they most likely will not press animal cruelty charges against the property owner because he called and asked for help.
This is the fifth time ARC has been to Tennessee for a hoarding case in the last 18 months.
The ARC said the animals will receive a veterinary exam, vaccinations and any other medical treatment. The ARC will care for the animals until they can be placed with shelters and rescue groups.
Animal Rescue Corps is currently caring for nearly 200 animals that need homes. For more information and to make a donation, visit: http://www.animalrescuecorps.org.
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