Though the woman died of hepatitis C months ago, authorities reported her dead last week. According to KARK, officials had to remove the woman's remains from the house, but the owner's dogs made it difficult to get close to what was left of the body.

Authorities said that they had to shoot and kill nine of the dogs.

The veterinarian tried to save as many of the remaining dogs as possible for weeks. They became a threat to the community when they started running around neighbors' houses.

“We didn't know if those diseases or that disease would be spread by the dogs in the community,” said Bradley.

When a dog bit the vet while being treated, Tharp decided to shoot 27 of the dogs.

“It was the only resource we had." she said. "We had tried everything else, and it just failed. I did what I felt like had to be done.”

About the Author

Keep Reading

The UPS plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky, killed the three pilots and 11 people on the ground. (NTSB via AP)

Credit: AP

Featured

Tracy Woodard from InTown Cares (left) and Lauren Hopper from Mercy Care organization work with residents at the Copperton Street encampment in August 2024. 
(Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez