Authorities in White County seized 65 dogs, cats and other animals from a home in Sparta Monday morning.

That property use to be the location the Sanctuary on Golden Mountain.

Scotlund Haisley with the Animal Rescue Corps says what his organization found there deserves a different designation.

"It wouldn't be a sanctuary in our opinion.  In our opinion this is a case of animal cruelty," said Haisley.

Haisley's group took the animals at the request of the White County Sheriff's Department.

Detective Chris Isom says property owner Doug Dyer called authorities recently saying he could no longer care for all the animals..

"From my understanding is the past what he does is he will take an animal if you make a donation to the sanctuary and he had an influx he couldn't control," said Detective Isom.

Fox 17 News reached Dyer by phone.

He says the conditions on his property don't amount to animal cruelty.

Dyer also says he's been trying to close the shelter for years but hasn't been able to because so many people keep leaving animals there.

Neighbor Hazel Hunt says even she's noticed the problem.

"People just come down the road in the middle of the night and they throw the animals out," said Hunt.

The animals that were taken from Dyer's property will be housed at a shelter in the Tennessee State Fairgrounds.

That's where nearly 100 dogs are also being kept from a rescue operation in Wilson County last week.
Animals Seized in Sparta