DANDRIDGE, Tenn. — One person has been arrested on 55 counts of aggravated animal cruelty after the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office responded to a home at Argonnia Lane in Dandridge, JCSO said.
JCSO said deputies with the Animal Control and Criminal Investigation Division responded to the home around 9:45 a.m. EDT on Monday after animal control officers previously responded to the same home on Friday.
Companion Animal Rescue and Education responded to the home with the "enormous" task of taking possession of 6 dogs, according to JCSO. Authorities said Companion Animal Rescue and Education confirmed it got its last dog at around 8:30 p.m.
The location was the site of "A Life 2go2 Rescue," a nonprofit that cares and boards animals, JCSO said. Paula Whitt, 55, was detained and faces 55 counts of aggravated animal cruelty. JSCO said she has been transported to the Jefferson County Detention Center where she is currently being held.
JCSO said it was an active scene and deputies were still investigating.