CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Two local men were recently charged with aggravated cruelty to animals around the time of June 24.

Robert French, 41, and Joseph Haase, 47, both of 806 Turtle Creek Road, were each booked into the Montgomery County Jail with a bond of $5,000.

Montgomery County Animal Control learned of the situation after receiving two phone calls in one day regarding a mixed breed female dog named Hope. “By the time we got the second call, the dog had deteriorated so much that it could not even lift its head,” Director of Animal Control Jeanette Farrell said.

According to an arrest warrant, a witness said the dog had “fleas, severe mange and open wounds,” and the men “did not seek treatment for the animal.”

According to Farrell, the dog also had hair loss, fractured canine teeth and nails so long that she was unable to stand. Hope was also covered in two centimeters of flea feces. “It’s one of the worst cases I’ve seen,” Farrell said.

The 13-year-old dog also suffered from heat exhaustion and had been chewing off her own dead skin, which appeared to be scarred from years of neglect.

After an Animal Control Officer responded to the scene where Hope was found in “deplorable condition,” she was transferred to to Family Pet Hospital for care.

Hope before

Within just over a week in protective custody, Hope gained ten pounds. “She was emaciated,” Farrell said.

Hope after

French, the alleged owner of the dog, contacted Animal Control the day after she was taken and asked about having her returned to his residence, but was denied. French stated that he and Haase had attempted to seek medical attention for Hope when they moved to Clarksville three years ago, but found that no vet in the area was willing to arrange a payment plan for her care.

During the call, French was advised that Animal Control would be going forward with charges of animal cruelty. Farrell added that French and Haase claimed to have been providing at home veterinary care for the dog, a practice that Farrell does not recommend for those who are not licensed veterinarians.

Farrell also added that pet owners who are unable to fund an animal’s medical treatment can contact Animal Control to find resources that can help.

“There are vets in the area that are more than willing to assist, rather than seeing an animal suffer to that extent. Farrell said. “The vet that treated Hope was so distressed by what she saw, she purchased special food for the dog with money from her own pocket.”

Montgomery County Animal Control and Adoption is located at 616 North Spring Street. For more information, call 931-648-5750, email animalcontrol@montgomerycountytn.org or visit the website.