Two individuals were arrested Friday after an investigation headed by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and local law enforcement found evidence of animal abuse.

Sidney Smith Stanton, III, 68, and Arvilla Joyce Stanton, 75, were arrested and booked Friday at approximately 5:30 p.m. Sidney is charged with 73 counts of class E felony second-offense animal cruelty and Arvilla received 15 counts of class A misdemeanor first-offense animal cruelty.

According to a press release issued by District Attorney General Chris Stanford Friday evening, the investigation began on May 28 and included five properties located on Sparta Highway, Smithville Highway, Fairgrounds Road, Morrison Street and Bluff Springs Road. Across the scattered properties, authorities from Warren County Sheriff's Department, McMinnville Police Department and investigators from the District Attorney’s office would discover 17 dogs, 58 horses and 66 head of cattle in need of immediate rescue. The animals were removed over the course of three days and dispersed to various placements across the state.

“We are grateful to the residents who alerted us to the situation,” said Warren County Animal Control and Adoption Center (WCACAC) Executive Director Sherri Bradley of the case. “We were glad to have the help of Stanford as well as the sheriff and his deputies for the manpower that was needed to rescue these animals.” Bradley expressed the animals were safe and would soon be examined by veterinarians.

In addition to WCACAC, Horse Haven of Tennessee, Volunteer Equine, Premier Equine, Howie Horse Rescue, the Department of Agriculture, Brandon Stubblefield, Josh Reed and Kevin Hatfield came forward to help find somewhere for the removed animals to land.

This is not Sidney’s first brush with animal abuse or neglect. In 2011, a raid was conducted on Sidney’s farm where authorities removed 21 horses, mules and donkeys and he was charged with seven counts of animal neglect. He would later sign the animals over and take his case to the Tennessee Supreme Court where he requested a judicial diversion, which was ultimately denied. This incident occurred two years after the first investigation opened on him in 2009.

Arvilla’s bond was set at $15,000 while Sidney’s was $150,000. Both are currently out free on bond, though there were conditions outlined for Sidney’s bond: He must wear a 24/7 GPS ankle monitor – at his cost - and he cannot own, possess or be around any animals.

The two are expected to appear in court before General Sessions Judge Ryan J. Moore for their arraignments this week on June 4 at 8:30 a.m.

“We want to assure the community that these crimes will be met with accountability for those responsible,” said Stanford in his issued statement. “We will also continue to put the needs of the animals and those that helped rescue them first. Thankfully, many animals were able to be rescued and their lives will forever be improved because of the good work done this week.”