I would like to thank Cathy Bissell with Bissell Pet Foundation and every one involved in this case. William Patten and Natalie Fancher Patten were arrested and charged with 6 counts of felony animal cruelty ( more charges will be filed). After the teams got on location with a local veterinarian they were able to secure and treat all the dogs in both locations and were transported to Nashville for further care. Animal Rescue Corps assembled a team along with the assistance of Bissell Pet Foundation, along with a team from Hattiesburg and New Orleans. ( 71 dogs total) Realizing the magnitude of the situation we contacted Mississippi Animal Rescue League and in turn they contacted Animal Rescue Corps out of Nashville TN. After further investigation deputes were able to determine there was a second property on Peavy Road also containing a large number of dogs. Deputies were able to determine the dogs on the property had not been fed or watered in some time. Deputies also found numerous amounts of deceased dogs on the property. Deputies arrived on scene and found multiple dogs abandoned in cages, tied to trees and running loose. “On JNewton County Deputies responded to a call on Pine Bluff Road in reference to a call regarding animal neglect. Here is the Sheriff’s Department statement on the matter: Investigators and animal rescue workers worked the two locations for multiple days. Both were being held in the Newton County Jail on $60,000 bond. William Patten, 40, of Tank Street in Philadelphia and Natalie Fancher Patten, 32, of Pine Bluff Road in Newton were both arrested on July 11 and charged with six counts of felony animal cruelty and more charges are likely, according to the Sheriff’s Department. Investigators said they did not have access to food and water. However, numerous dog remains were found, as many dogs were kept chained to trees outdoors and kept in small cages and camping tents while others were running loose. The Newton County Sheriff’s Department assisted by Mississippi Animal Rescue League and in turn they contacted Animal Rescue Corps out of Nashville, Tenn., conducted the investigation at shelter on Pine Bluff Road and on Peavy Road, which resulted in 71 dogs being rescued. Two people have been arrested and charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty after numerous dead and decomposing dogs were found at two locations in Newton County last week. Domain menu for The Enterprise Journal (main)

Newton county appeal