A Middlesboro couple was sentenced on Monday in Bell County District Court on charges stemming from what authorities called one of the worst cases of animal cruelty the county had seen in almost two decades.

Woodrow and Althea Wyat were charged in July of 2023 with 77 counts of animal cruelty by Middlesboro Police Officer Bucky Harris. Harris and other officers, along with Bell County Animal Control Director Patsy Bracken and County Attorney Chris Douglas found dozens of dogs at the Wyatts’ residence in multiple cages stacked on top of each other. It was reported that the animals were defecating on ones below them and had little to no water or food.

In an outside block building more dogs were found with matted hair and mange so bad they were unable to walk.  Unfortunately, nine of the dogs had to be euthanized. At another property belonging to the Wyatts, a dog was found to be malnourished and was removed. In all, 77 animals were taken including a cat, 13 rabbits, and 63 dogs.

Friends of the Bell County Animal Shelter assisted the shelter in finding rescues to help the pets that were removed.  For P.E.T.’.S.SAKE and Noah’s Ark took 37 of the dogs into rescue.  Noah’s Ark also donated a van to the Animal Shelter to assist in transport of the animals.  Kentucky Paws of London and The Kentucky Division of the Humane Society also took in several of the animals.

A jury trial was scheduled for Monday but an agreement was reached between prosecutors and the Wyatts’ lawyer Brandon West. According to that agreement the pair was found guilty but some of the charges were amended.

Woodrow Wyatt was sentenced to two years in the Bell County Detention Center with all but 30 days suspended — to be served on weekends — followed by nine months of home incarceration.  The remainder of the time he will be on probation. He is also ordered to pay the Friends of the Shelter $15,000.00 and to not own or take care of any animal during his probation.  He was ordered to report to jail on September 6, 2024.

Althea Wyatt  is also not permitted to own or take care of any animals.  Counts 2-77 were dismissed against her, but she did plead guilty to an amended charge of criminal mischief – 2nd degree, which was probated for two years.

Officer Harris told WRIL that he is glad that the Friends of the Shelter will be receiving the money to help other animals in the area.