Women Arrested After Over 140 Dogs Found In U-Haul Truck

Dogs found in Uhaul truck

FAYETTE COUNTY, TENNESSEE — A traffic stop Tuesday morning in Fayette County led to the discovery of 145 dogs and one cat in a U-Haul moving truck, and has landed two women behind bars on animal cruelty charges.

Bonnie Sheehan, 55, is charged with Animal Cruelty and following too closely to another vehicle, which likely led to the traffic stop. Pamela A. King-McCraken, 59, is also charged with Animal Cruelty.

Both are in the Fayette County Jail on a $100,000 bond with a January 24th scheduled court appearance.

The stop was done by Tennessee State Trooper Brad Simpson of the West Tennessee Drug Task Force near exit 42 on Interstate-40. He said the animals were being kept in deplorable conditions.

In many cases four or five animals were squeezed into animals carriers and makeshift animal carriers without food and water. Other dogs were running loose in the non-ventilated truck, and urine and feces were everywhere. One dog had died.

“They just haven’t stopped crying since we’ve been here. It’s very hard to listen to,” said Gina Thweatt of Fayette County Animal Rescue.

Thweatt was on the scene when the dogs were being unloaded at a Pilot Truck Stop just off the interstate.

“The smell is absolutely horrific. One officer about got sick. He couldn’t handle the smell,” Thweatt added.

Sheehan and McCraken are associated with an animal rescue group called Hearts For Hounds. According to its website, Sheehan founded the Long Beach organization in 1997. An investigator said the women were coming from California and headed to Virginia to put the animals up for adoption.

Hearts For Hounds’ Facebook page had blown up with comments on what happened, and was later taken down.

Tuesday night the animals, mostly small-breed dogs, were being held in a special ASPCA shelter in Memphis that had been set up during the May flood. They will be at the facility for an undetermined amount of time.

“We understand they have not been out of their crates since Saturday, so after we get everybody settled in we’re going to give them a nice little walk and a nice little fluffy towel to sleep with tonight,” said Nina Wingfield, Director of Collierville Animal Services.

“We have a vet on the scene that will look at every dog and make sure there are no health issues,” Wingfield added.

At this point, only trained caregivers from Mid-South rescue organizations will care for the dogs since there is an open criminal investigation, and the dogs need to be checked out. No volunteers were needed as of Tuesday night, however donations to the ASPCA would be accepted.

“They’re scared, and scared animals bite out of fear. So we want to keep everybody safe and the dogs safe. If they bite someone, then we’ve risked their lives,” Wingfield said.

Dogs found in Uhaul truck

Dogs found in Uhaul truck

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KTLenl
KTLenl
12 years ago

So sad. No “Rescue” would treat dogs this way. These women were bringing the dogs back east to SELL them. Let’s call a duck a duck here. 

Linda Wunders
Linda Wunders
12 years ago

It just never ends. Thank God for the officer who stopped them. Those dogs would all be dead by now. People just make me sick.

Como939
Como939
12 years ago

i love animals, and whatever they get won,t be enough, it,s unbelieveable how anyone can be that cruel all for a dollar. i hope there put away for a really long time, or better yet give them a taste of there own medicine.

Cathie Manley-Mckenzie
12 years ago

Agree with Como above…”give them a taste of their own medicine” ! Absolutely ! Cram them into one of those tiny tag along U-Hauls for a week ! No food no water, well maybe just water, and see how they like it. “what so ever you do to the least of “….. 

Seclpn1994
Seclpn1994
12 years ago

It is so very sad,my brother and sister n law are waiting to the hear the news if the black pug is theirs. They have been devastated since he has been missing since January 1st. He is such a precious dog and family member. We are all praying that it is Jett.

marty
marty
12 years ago

O.M.G.It  Just Never Stop’s   does it   These   i would call them Animal’s  … No  i take that back   Animal’s  would  never   even think of doing   what  these monsters   do  ..they  should   get  the same   as they do to  these  poor  defenceless  sweet furbabys  are getting from them..

 

Lscott7262
Lscott7262
12 years ago

psycho bee aches!

Diane Napora
12 years ago

treat the offenders like they treat the animals…even that is too good for them… I have no tolerance for anyone mistreating an animal. Another reason why the law is not tough enough on animal abusers. Put them in jail with societies worst.

Bobbyc47
Bobbyc47
12 years ago

There’s a special place in hell for people like this.  They qualify.

guest
guest
11 years ago

Unfortunately our laws aren’t severe enough and they will probably walk with a slap on the wrist. People like this make me sick.

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