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Newton, Miss., July 15, 2023: ANIMAL RESCUE CORPS AND NEWTON COUNTY OFFICIALS RESCUE 70+ DOGS FROM A “RESCUER” IN CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI

Animal Rescue Corps (ARC), a national 501(c)(3) animal protection organization in partnership with BISSELL Pet Foundation (BPF), a nonprofit pet foundation, responded to an urgent call from Newton County officials for assistance with 70+ dogs of various breeds found living in deplorable conditions on two properties in Newton, Mississippi. Also supporting the rescue on site were Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO), Humane Society of South Mississippi (HSSM), Southern Pines Animal Shelter (SPAS), Rescue Riders Network, and local animal rescuers.

All of the animals were seized by the Newton County Sheriff’s Department, and Natalie Fancher Patten a selfdescribed “rescuer,” and her husband William Patten were arrested and taken into custody on charges of animal cruelty, including felony animal cruelty.

The Newton County Sheriff’s Department made this discovery while responding to a complaint that representatives from a purported animal rescue organization and 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Second Paw Dog Rescue, had not been on the property to care for the animal residents there in days. The Sheriff’s Department made contact with ARC requesting urgent help upon discovering the severity of the conditions and the large number of animals. ARC quickly reached out to the other organizations to create a coalition and was onscene with the necessary equipment, supplies, transport vehicles, volunteers, and a statelicensed veterinarian soon after receiving the call.

“This is a very grim situation here. Scattered bones litter the property,” said Animal Rescue Corps’ Executive Director, Tim Woodward. “These animals have endured tremendous suffering and it ends today.”

Responders found dozens of dogs chained outdoors to trees, trapped in outdoor cages, camping tents, and several more running loose around the nineacre, trashstrewn property. The dogs had been without access to food, clean water, or necessary veterinary care. On a separate property, over 40 dogs were found running loose and inside a trailer.

Over a dozen dead and decomposing carcasses were found in cages and scattered around the 9acre property. Two emaciated dogs and one puppy had to be immediately euthanized due to untreated medical conditions that were too advanced to be treated.

“Not all victims of abuse are people and we take animal cruelty very seriously in our community,” said, Sheriff Joedy Pennington. “We will fully enforce the laws of this state and bring those responsible to justice.”

Inside a trailer, among piles of garbage on urinesoaked and fecescovered floors, several dogs including litters of small puppies only a few weeks old were found suffering in unimaginable conditions. The dogs were visibly covered in ticks and fleas, emaciated, dehydrated, bite wounds, and exhibited various illnesses and untreated injuries. Many of the chained dogs appear to have serious dental damage, ground and missing teeth, presumably from chewing at their chains to free themselves.

Working under the Newton County Sheriff’s Department, ARC safely removed the dogs and transported them to ARC’s Rescue Center outside Nashville, TN. ARC will provide medical, physical, and social care until the dogs can be placed with partnering shelters and rescue groups. Each animal will receive full medical exams, vaccinations, and any necessary treatments.

Animal Rescue Corps managed the safe extraction of every animal, assessment, documentation, care, and collection of evidence for any cruelty proceedings in this rescue, dubbed Operation Skin and Bones. Bissell Pet Foundation provided critical financial support for this emergency operation, coordinated onscene volunteer support from the BISSELL Pet Foundation Shelter Partner Network, and has committed to help manage placement alongside ARC with trusted shelter and rescue partners.

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