Six dogs and two birds died after they were locked in an unoccupied home in Woodland for several months, and an Oak Ridge father and daughter were cited for animal cruelty this week because they allegedly failed to provide the animals with food, water, care, and shelter, authorities said.
On Tuesday, the father and daughter—Hillman N. Wright, 90, and Annette M. Wright, 57—received nine misdemeanor citations each for animal cruelty, authorities said.
In affidavits filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court, Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Christopher Carden said he was called to the home at 129 Marietta Circle by Animal Control Supervisor Julie Armes. Carden said he found several animal carcasses inside the unoccupied home, which is owned by Hillman Wright. Hillman’s daughter, Annette Wright, had lived there before she moved in with her father on Feb. 1, 2011, after she had surgery for a broken ankle. Hillman lives next door at 127 Marietta Circle.
Carden said the father and daughter both knew that a total of seven dogs and two birds had been locked in the residence for several months.
“The defendant failed to provide food, water, care, and shelter for the animals that led to the death of six dogs and two birds, in what would (be) considered to any normal person as inhumane,” Carden said.
ORPD Lt. Robin Smith said someone went to check on the animals a few years ago and found one living dog.
In addition to the dead dogs and birds, police also found the carcasses of rats and opossums inside the house, Smith said.
“There were dead, decaying corpses of animals,” he said.
The Wrights have court hearings scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 19.
Lauren Biloski says
This makes me sick. Thank you for prosecuting them! I wish the punishment was more severe.