Animal Abuse: 20 dogs, 2 horses, 16 birds and a cat found at a home - Cleveland, TN

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Case ID: 18037

Classification: Hoarding

Animal: cat, dog (non pit-bull), horse, bird (pet)

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20 dogs, 2 horses, 16 birds and a cat found at a home
Cleveland, TN (US)

Incident Date: Friday, Jun 3, 2011
County: Bradley

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» James Andrew Freeman
» Patricia Ann Freeman

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

A Bradley County couple is due in court today to respond to allegations of animal cruelty after Bradley County Sheriff's deputies on Friday found a number of dogs, horses and other animals that were not receiving proper care in the 90-degree temperatures.

Two members of the BCSO STAR team became aware of the situation when contacted by a concerned citizen while on a traffic stop at Ellis Drive and Buchanan Road, officials said.

Further investigation at the residence revealed 20 dogs, two horses, 16 birds and a cat did not have clean water or food, it was stated.

Deputies used a hose and several buckets that were found at the residence to give the animals fresh water. As they were finishing, the homeowners, James Andrew Freeman, 48, and Patricia Ann Freeman, 53, returned home. They were given a criminal summons to appear in General Sessions Court this morning to answer charges of 39 counts of cruelty to animals.

The couple turned themselves in at the Bradley County jail on Monday night. After processing, both were released on their own recognizance.

A court document says animal control officers have responded to the Freemans' home approximately 70 times over an unspecified period of time.

All of the animals except the birds were taken by animal control officers.

Case Updates

A June 14 court date has been set for a couple charged with 39 counts of animal neglect.

Patricia and James Freeman appeared Tuesday in Bradley County General Sessions Court.

They were summoned to court through a criminal summons issued by deputy Joe Renner of the Bradley County Sheriff's Office after he and deputy Johnny Stokes found 20 dogs, 16 birds (including chickens), a cat and two horses, reportedly without proper food and water supplies. The animals were taken to the local shelter where one reportedly died and some have been allowed to be adopted.

The discovery was made Friday evening as temperatures reached into the 90s.

Reports received by Renner from Animal Control officers indicated the city of Cleveland Animal Control Division had been to the couple's Ellis Drive residence approximately 70 times during an unspecified time frame.

Bob Gault, media relations coordinator for the Bradley County Sheriff's Office, said Renner was working to confirm the information.

After their court appearance Tuesday, Patricia and James Freeman spoke with the Banner regarding their charges.

"We had been gone from home just an hour or so," said Patricia.

The couple had been to a local store with her mother.

Deputies were watering the animals when the Freemans arrived.

"We water the horses and other animals several times during the day," she explained.

James Freeman said 18-20 times per day, he fills 5-gallon buckets for the horses.

"They will take several big gulps then turn over the bucket �" so we are constantly filling them," James Freeman said.

According to Patricia Freeman, the dogs were secured in a playpen and in the yard, and they have a swimming pool to play in.

"The water was muddy, but what the dogs do, they get in and get out �" and we also clean the pool often," she said.

"All of our animals are healthy and spoiled," she asserted.

"They left 14 chickens and two birds," Patricia Freeman said, "If we were bad people, why would they leave them and ask us to take care of them?"

She said she begged officials not to take one of the canines which she said had been under a veterinarian's care.

When she went to visit her animals at the Cleveland Animal Shelter Monday, Achilles, a miniature dachshund, had passed away.

"We aren't trying to make a major deal out of this. The man (Renner) felt he was in the right �" he felt he was doing a good thing (by having animal control take custody of the animals), James Freeman said.

"We have vet records and want our animals back and to be left alone," he added.

"This is tearing us down. We don't want any trouble," he said.

Patricia Freeman added some of the pets had been adopted since they were taken into custody Friday.

"I agreed to let some go out for adoption, but I promised one dog when I rescued him, that he would be treated good and I would be with him when he died," said Patricia in a tearful voice.

"I want my babies home," she said.

Source: clevelandbanner.com - Jun 8, 2011
Update posted on Jun 8, 2011 - 9:13PM

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20 dogs, 2 horses, 16 birds and a cat found at a homeCleveland, TN (US)

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20 dogs, 2 horses, 16 birds and a cat found at a home
Cleveland, TN (US)