Dozens of dehydrated, underweight animals rescued, 3 charged in northeast Tennessee

CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. — Almost 3 dozen animals are now recovering after they were rescued from a home in northeast Tennessee. 3 people now face charges.

34 animals, including ducks, roosters, rabbits and ferrets were found dehydrated and underweight, according to a Facebook post by the Carter County Sheriff’s Office.

The affected animals included a dog, two pigs, two lemurs, one rooster, eight ducks, eight snakes, two lizards, eight rabbits, and two ferrets.

A deputy saw many animals in pens without clean water, food, or appropriate shelter. Inside a storage shed, more animals were found without access to clean water or food, and the temperature was very hot.

The deputy noted that all the animals appeared dehydrated and underweight, with some in distress, according to the Sheriff’s office.

The next day, authorities returned to the location to take custody of the animals for their safety and proper care. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Crime Unit took custody of some animals, while the director of the Elizabethton/Carter County Animal Shelter took the rest.

Veterinarians evaluated the rescued animals and reported that all were underweight and dehydrated, with some suffering additional health issues. After receiving these reports, the sheriff’s office got warrants for three suspects connected to the case.

The Sheriff’s Office then arrested 43-year-old Sarah Oaks, 42-year-old Ryan Oaks, and 22-year-old Nathaniel Oaks, at a home in the Stoney Creek community. Each was charged with 19 counts of cruelty to animals.