Case Snapshot

Case ID: 4942

Classification: Hoarding

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

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Hoarding - 19 dogs seized
La Follette, TN (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Jun 28, 2005
County: Campbell

Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available

Alleged: Robert Sheets

Campbell County Deputies found a man and 19 dogs ankle deep in filth inside a home with no water or electricity. The homeowner, Robert Sheets, faces 19 animal cruelty counts. Each penalty carries a year in jail if convicted.

The dogs are at the Campbell County Animal Shelter. A veterinarian will examine the animals on June 29 to see what the next course of action is for the dogs.

"It was absolutely horrible," said Deputy Brandon Elkins. "The smell was wretched. I had to leave the building to avoid throwing up."

Investigators say they found waste, ankle deep in some places, throughout the house, which also had no electricity or running water.

A neighbor said Sheets was friendly for the most part, taking in more dogs from shelters to prevent them from being put to sleep, a point Sheets himself mentioned when being taken into custody.

"I didn't hurt nobody," said Sheets. "I was saving their lives."

"I saw dogs with open sores oozing," the neighbor said, adding that she had even seen dead animals on or near his property.

References

• WBIR - June 29, 2005
• WVLT - July 21, 2005

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