Tennessee woman accused of animal cruelty after more than 100 confiscated on property

LINCOLN COUNTY, Tenn. — A Tennessee woman is accused of animal cruelty after authorities confiscated more than 100 animals in a hoarding investigation, authorities said.

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Laura Anne Lifer, 60, of Frankewing was arrested Thursday and charged with 18 counts of animal cruelty, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said, adding that she was released from the Lincoln County Jail after posting $36,000 bail Friday.

Authorities said more than 50 dogs were seized at Lifer’s residence, WHNT reported. They also confiscated parrots, pigs, sheep, mini-horses, goats, cows, turtles, geese and other animals, according to the television station.

Some of the animals were dead, WAFF reported.

Lincoln County Sheriff Murray Blackwelder told the television station Thursday that Lifer was hoarding animals and running a puppy mill.

Randy Boaz, of Giles County Animal Control, told WHNT his department seized 26 dogs at Lifer’s business in Pulaski, Aunt Laura’s Boarding and Grooming.

The Lincoln County Humane Society took 15 of the dogs, the television station reported. They will not be ready for adoption for at least a week.

Horse Plus Humane Society, the Nashville Humane Association, the Humane Society of Lincoln County and Giles County Animal Shelter are also helping with the rescued animals, according to WHNT.

“Several of them have conditions, anywhere from skin conditions to heart failure," Morgan Sutton, director of Giles County Animal Shelter, told WAFF. “I’m not saying any of that in particular was on her, the owner, but they need to be addressed.”'

Lifer pleaded guilty to two counts of animal cruelty In 2009, according to WAFF. She was sentenced to two years’ probation and fined $100, the television station reported. As part of her plea agreement, Lifer was prohibited from owning more than one cat and one dog, and could not own large animals.

Cox Media Group