The Washington County/Johnson City Animal Shelter is so full officers could not take custody of 35 dogs found living in filthy conditions at a local breeding business.
Barbara Perry Christian, 55, 166 Buttermilk Road, Gray, was issued 70 citations — 35 for animal cruelty and 35 for not having up to date rabies shots for her adult dogs — last week.
The investigation began after Animal Control received an anonymous tip about the problems at Christian’s breeding business, Barbara’s Breeding Palace.
Christian also operates under the business name Schnauzer Land.
Christian is no stranger to Debbie Dobbs, director of the animal shelter.
“We’ve dealt with her in the past,” Dobbs said.
According to a court document filed by Animal Control Officer Andrew Barnett, he inspected Christian’s kennels on Saturday and discovered “there was no rabies shots for at least 35 of the animals 6 months and above. The premises was lacking general maintenance and upkeep of the kennels.”
Barnett also noted that the kennel area smelled “of feces and urine” throughout.
Dobbs said Christian said she’d had health problems and that was why the conditions at her kennels had deteriorated.
Christian did not return a message left on her voice mail by the Press. She is scheduled for a court hearing Dec. 13 in Washington County Sessions Court.
Anyone with information about suspected animal abuse or animal cruelty can report it to the animal shelter at 926-8769.
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An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that 70 dogs were involved.
tazlady60 writes:
December 6, 2012
11:35 PM
i agree
justmyopinion2012 writes:
December 7, 2012
7:07 AM
This woman is the animal. In certain jurisdictions, they do ban people for breeding, sometimes for life but there's nothing stopping these criminals from relocating and starting another operation. I hope the rescued animals can all be saved and adopted out. I despise animal abusers especially those who profit from the sale of animals. I don't know why anyone would buy an animal from one of these filthy operations.
PookieAdams writes:
December 7, 2012
9:41 AM
What finally happened to the dogs?
eshever writes:
December 7, 2012
10:24 AM
Breeding dogs is not illegal in Tennessee. I assume everyone posting here has their dogs up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations?
justmyopinion2012 writes:
December 7, 2012
3:28 PM
eshever, why are you defending this woman? Is she a relative of yours? The dogs were living in filthy conditions. That is what is illegal. No one said breeding dogs was illegal, but abusing or mistreating them is. She is breeding to sell these animals for a profit so customers have a certain expectation level that the animals are healthy and up-to-date on their shots. The article isn't about the people commenting here, it's about the woman who was arrested. She is the one on trial. Not us. This wasn't an isolated event as stated by the Director of the Animal Shelter.
elliemae59 writes:
December 7, 2012
6:29 PM
A valid question from (eshever) many breeders leave vacines up to new owners, and are not aware of local laws that change frequently. Like in Tennessee the first rabie vaccine use to be required by the time a animal was one year old, now it is within two months. So if an animal is 2 months an done day old the who ever owner is responsible.
provided.