- Tennessee, USA -
On Sunday, November 6, 2022, a deputy with the Blount County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report about a suspicious male with a dog walking in the roadway in the area of Marble Hill and Dunlap Hollow roads.
The male, identified as 43-years-old JAMES ALBERT CARDONA (pictured), told the deputy that he had been attacked by the dog who he had on the leash. The deputy, however, noticed “superficial, non-puncturing wounds that appeared older in nature, and the dog appeared non-aggressive,” stated a news release by the sheriff’s office. The deputy then transported CARDONA to his residence on Misty Valley Road and discovered multiple dogs. The deputy reported that the dogs did not have any food, water, or shelter.
Sadly, the deputy also discovered “a partially burned deceased dog in a burn barrel.”
But that’s not all. Two puppies were found “inside a wooden utility building with no air, food, or water visible and squalid conditions,” said the sheriff’s office.
At one point, a woman identified as 47-years-old REBECCA MARIE BENNETT (also pictured), returned to the property, and told deputies on the scene that she lived there.
BENNETT had the nerve to tell deputies that “she had not noticed the dogs were malnourished,” stated the release.
In total, deputies discovered eight malnourished dogs who are now in the care of the Blount County Animal Shelter. CARDONA and BENNETT relinquished custody of the dogs.
Deputies arrested BENNETT and CARDONA and were each charged with aggravated cruelty to animals (Class E felony) and eight counts of cruelty to animals (Class A misdemeanor).
The pair were transported to the Blount County Correctional Facility and are both being held on bonds totaling $100,000 each.
CARDONA and BENNETT are scheduled to appear in Blount County General Sessions Court on November 9, 2022, at 9:00 a.m.
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