Hawkins Man Wanted On Animal Cruelty Charges Arrested

The Hawkins County Sheriff’s Department has arrested a man wanted on nine counts of animal cruelty charges. 37 year old Benjamin Reece was arrested in Mountain City. Police had been looking for Reece since conducting a welfare check on dogs at his residence on Payne Ridge Road in Church Hill. Authorities discovered eight dogs, owned by Reece in small cages, emaciated, with no food to eat. One dog was found deceased attached to its dog house by collar and chain. Reece was booked in the Hawkins County Jail.