Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Hoarding - 90 animals seized

Hoarding - 90 animals seized
Lafollette, TN (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Oct 5, 2006
County: Campbell
Local Map: available
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 2 files available

Alleged:
» William Jerome Love
» Paul Love

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

Case ID: 9710

Classification: Hoarding

Animal: dog (non pit-bull), bird (pet), captive exotic, rodent/small mammal (pet)

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A Lafollette man is facing animal cruelty charges now after authorities seize more than 90 animals, including a wildcat and a kangaroo from his Lafollette home.

It's a case of animal neglect and cruelty, only because Jerome Love had too many animals to take care of.

Authorities say Love loved animals. There are about 90 total, amongst those are dozens of dogs, including a litter of basset hound puppies, a wild cat, a baby kangaroo, 4 parrots, parakeets, two cockatiel, 6 peacocks and several hamsters.

Animal control officers rescued the animals from 2 of Love's houses on the afternoon of Oct 5.

Love was arrested Thursday morning and faces 90 animal cruelty charges.

When authorities went back to his house to pick up the animals, Love had already made bail.

Love helped officers load the animals into the truck.

"He loved the animals. He likes taking care of animals but he became overwhelmed with animals. Some of his animals were sick, needed to be taken to the vet, but like I said, initially, he had too many animals," says Animal Control Officer Stan Foust.

All 90 animals will remain at the shelter until love's court date, that's set for October 13th.

Case Updates

The animals rescued from inhumane conditions at a Campbell County house have begun finding new homes.Advertisement

Brothers Paul and William Jerome Love are both charged with animal cruelty after officers found dozens of animals, including dogs, birds, even a kangaroo living in deplorable conditions at their home.

This week, rescue groups from across the area are coming to get some of the animals. But most of them are still at the Campbell County Animal Shelter, in legal limbo until their owner faces a judge.

For now, the animals left at the shelter are getting what they need there.

"Some of them are very sick. Some of them have skin conditions, different things like that they're being treated for," said LaFollette Animal Control Officer Stan Faust.

"We're just really hoping these animals are going to find a good home," said Brenda Watkins of the Campbell County Animal Shelter.

But the animals' futures are in doubt. Unless a judge takes ownership of the animals from William Jerome Love, it is up to him to give them away. And so far he has only signed over rights to 32 of them.

"All the animals that have been actually signed over will be going to rescue groups," said Faust.

The lives of the rest may depend on what a judge does later this month. Officers say the animals are not safe with Love.

"[William Jerome Love] did make a comment that when we went to court if the judge ordered him back custody of the animals, that he would euthanize the animals immediately on the courthouse lawn," said Faust.

Faust says the Humane Society and the community are behind them, coming together with support and donations.

"We want people that want to get these dogs, give them to a good home, spayed and neutered is the big thing and no more breeding," said Watkins.

The Love brothers are due in court October 31st. Paul Love was previously convicted of four counts of animal cruelty in 2002.

Source: WBIR - Oct 18, 2006
Update posted on Oct 21, 2006 - 5:51AM

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A second man has been arrested in an animal cruelty investigation in Campbell County.

Wednesday morning, officers took Paul Love, of LaFollette, into custody. He is charged with felony cruelty to animals.

Last week, they charged his brother, Jerome Love, with 90 counts of animal cruelty.

Authorities tell 6 News they started investigating this case months ago, after several people called the mayor's office to complain about the stench.

Police say the two brothers had nearly 100 animals in their possession. Many of the animals were overcrowded in cages, living in filthy conditions at a home on 111 North Mountain Lane in LaFollette.

Animal control officer Stan Foust says some of the animals were walking in their own feces. Some had also contracted the Parvo Virus. A few Basset Hound puppies had to be put to sleep because they were too sick.

Police say the brothers are well known as animal lovers in the community. LaFollette Officer Pamela Lycos says they do not doubt the brothers loved their animals.

"We have never disputed the point that either one of these gentlemen loved their animals. They're well known in this community for being animal lovers, since they were small children. The problem is, they both just got too many," Lycos says.

The Campbell County Animal Shelter is bursting at the seams after taking in all the animals. Staff members say there are at least 55 dogs, 25 exotic birds, peacocks, hamsters, an Australian Wallaby and a wildcat called an African Servil.

The staff had to convert a storage room into an aviary to house the exotic birds. They include canaries, exotic species of parrots and a cockatiel.

They've also had to get a crash course in caring for some of the more unusual animals. The wallaby has to be bottle fed every 2-3 hours. They had to go online to find out how to make the special formula for the animal to drink. The staff says it's like caring for a child.

The African Servil feeds on raw meat.

Animal control officers have contacted exotic species rescue groups throughout the region to help foster the animals. But none can be adopted until the case has gone through court.

Jerome Love posted bond last week and has been released.

Source: WATE - Oct 11, 2006
Update posted on Oct 15, 2006 - 5:09PM

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Hoarding - 90 animals seizedLafollette, TN (US)

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Hoarding - 90 animals seized
Lafollette, TN (US)