It was several anonymous tip offs that served to alert authorities about a house in Bledsoe that was believed to be the epicentre of an illegal animal shelter.
In August of 2019, officers from the police and America’s SPA raided the house. They discovered over 100 dogs packed in to the property in appalling conditions. Several days later, a spokesperson for Bledsoe County Sheriff told the waiting press that they had discovered in excess of 200 dogs and cats, all of which had suffered various measures of cruelty.
The standout dog
But one dog in particular caught the eye of investigators. A Labrador bounded up to officers seemingly overjoyed at their arrival. On closer inspection the Lab had a chip, and officers soon realised that this dog had once been owned, and opined that it had been stolen by the owner of the shelter, Caroline Adkins.
Without further ado, the Lab – called Chuckie – was returned to its rightful owner, and after undergoing a full health check, was pronounced fit and well.
Adkins remains in police custody and has since been charged with animal cruelty.