Photos provided by the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office.
Grundy County sought assistance from the community following a case involving children and numerous animals. Several animals were discovered in unsatisfactory conditions, and investigators have verified that children were also living at the location.
The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an animal cruelty investigation, resulting in the arrest of Zachariah Nunley and Vera Nunley. Officials report that approximately 40 dogs, a pig, and multiple cats were kept on the property and appeared malnourished.
Many of the animals have been relocated to shelters in Tennessee. The suspects face several charges, including child abuse or neglect (non-violent) and animal cruelty. The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office released a social media update thanking community members, rescue organizations, and first responders for their involvement in the case.
“All animals were given a home or foster, other than approximately six that we cannot catch. We are working on resources for these to be captured tomorrow. Unfortunately, some of these animals passed away overnight and into the day due to their conditions. Thank you to all individuals who adopted, became fosters, or assisted in rescues. We appreciate Easy’s Dog Shelter, MARC, Beersheba Springs Fire Department, Altamont Fire Department, Sierra with TEMA, Coffee County Humane Society, Nashville Humane Society, Ruff Rescue, Constable Collins, our patrol deputies, and many others who may have been missed.
A huge thank you to Dr. Alana Terrell with Signal Mountain Veterinary Clinic and Dr. Michelle Shelton with Parkview Animal Wellness in Scottsboro, Alabama, for bringing medicine, caring for these animals the best they could, and placing the most in need into medical care.”
Those interested in fostering or adopting one of the rescued animals, or donating toward their recovery, can find more information through RUFF Rescue.
