MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two Mid-South women were arrested after police say they found several animals living in filthy conditions inside their home.
On Thursday, officers and workers with Memphis Animal Services were called to the home of Donna and Rebecca Sledge after a neighbor captured video of the women kicking a dog and pulling on its leash to get it to stand. He said the dog could barely move.
When officers arrived, they were given permission to enter the home and were reportedly shocked by what they found.
Inside, they discovered six dogs crammed in small kennels with soiled newspapers, which created a “potent odor” throughout the home. One dog was lying on the floor unable to move amid “filthy conditions.”
Five of the animals were taken into M.A.S. custody. The sixth was reportedly released from his or her cage by Donna Sledge and escaped out the back door.
WREG’s Melissa Moon reached out to the agency to learn the conditions of the animals. They released the following statement to WREG:
“The dog who was not moving (Rani A319613) did survive the night after receiving IV fluids, and she is currently being cared for and monitored by our veterinary staff. We have not yet been able to determine the cause of her not walking, and she does eat and drink. We will most likely be looking for one of our rescue partners to take over her care to provide more comprehensive diagnostics and medical care.
The other dogs do not have apparent or obvious medical issues.”
Both suspects were charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and issued an Environmental Court summons from M.A.S. for 37 counts of city ordinance violations.