Volunteers with the Animal Rescue Corps rescued 21 animals from what they called a "House of Horrors" in Grundy County.
Rescuers found 12 cats and nine dogs in a home in Tracy City. PHOTOS: 21 Animals Rescued From 'House Of Horrors'
Police found the animals after performing a welfare check at the home. The property owner was involved in a serious car crash and next of kin could not be found.
Instead, police found dogs in makeshift pens scattered around property. The pens were piled with feces and littered with dozens of dead rats.
Once inside, officers found more cats and dogs, including some small breeds suffering from obvious neglect. The home was filled with trash and bugs leaving it nearly inhabitable.
The dogs, all of whom were underweight, exhibited various illnesses, including mange and other external parasites, conjunctivitis, tumors and untreated injuries.
“The conditions on this property were some of the worst we have ever seen, truly a house of horrors” said Animal Rescue Corps President Scotlund Haisley. “The outdoor pens were filled with feces, and rats and the house was infested with thousands of cockroaches. The amount of suffering these animals have endured is heart breaking.”
ARC safely removed all of the animals and transported them to an emergency shelter. All of the animals received full medical exams, vaccinations, and any necessary treatments by a team of veterinarians.
The property owner remained hospitalized in critical condition.
