COLUMBIA, Tenn. (WTVF) — A total of 50 pets were found dead during a rescue operation at a Maury County home on Oct. 24.
The Maury County Animal Services Special Tactical Animal Rescue and the Maury County Sheriff's Department were able to rescue 23 pets, but the Maury County Animal Control Director told NewsChannel 5 the case was the most egregious situation he's ever worked, and that the animals were in the worst shape he's ever seen.
Carolyn Bauer was arrested Friday on animal cruelty charges - something she has a history of in Davidson County.
Officials say she was seemingly collecting the animals from other rescues and telling them that she would transfer them elsewhere but would then take them to her home instead.
Some of the dead animals were found in close proximity to the living animals which were found malnourished in crates. Some of the dead animals were in significant states of decay.
The Nashville Humane Association partnered with Maury Co. Animal Control to place the animals. The humane association said they had to groom every surviving animal because of the smell and mangled fur.
Most of the surviving animals have been placed in foster homes and will remain there until late Dec. Officials say the animals had very little interaction so they needed to be with foster families so that they can be acclimated to being around people.
