What started as a routine eviction call on the 5200 block of Lochinvar Drive in Whitehaven turned into a grim animal-cruelty scene. Officers say they discovered 17 dead animals on the Memphis property: ten kittens, four adult cats, and three snakes. Shelby County eviction officers and Memphis police also reported seeing three live cats that they could not catch, and an eviction officer said the tenant had loaded dozens of live cats into a U‑Haul and driven off. A warrant has been issued for 33‑year‑old Sarai Rue, the registered leaseholder, who faces 17 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.
What officers found
An eviction officer told the station that crews opened a portable deep freezer and found ten dead kittens inside, according to WREG. On the back patio, four dead cats were discovered in a refrigerator. In the front yard, responders located three dead snakes. The same officer said three live cats were spotted on the property, but could not be secured before crews cleared the scene.
Suspect, charges and items found
Memphis Police Department officers and Memphis Animal Services were called to the home to assist once the dead animals were found. According to the report, “a warrant has been issued for Sarai Rue, 33, the registered leaseholder,” in connection with the case. Officers at the scene also reported finding a black Draco pistol, which the report describes as a full‑auto AK1 4.5mm BB gun, inside the residence. The eviction officer told the outlet that the suspect “loaded 20 live cats into a U‑Haul and fled the scene.”
What the law says
Under Tennessee law, aggravated cruelty to animals can be charged when a person intentionally kills or causes serious physical injury to a companion animal. Those offenses are set out in T.C.A. § 39‑14‑212, according to the Animal Legal & Historical Center. In recent years, lawmakers have also moved bills aimed at stiffening penalties for aggravated cruelty, signaling how prosecutors and legislators increasingly treat large, fatal animal‑welfare cases (see LegiScan for bill tracking).
How to help or report
Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact CrimeStoppers of Memphis and Shelby County at 901‑528‑CASH (901‑528‑2274) or submit a tip online. For updates, resources, or questions about seized animals, residents can visit Memphis Animal Services online.
What happens next
Investigators say the case remains active as officers search for Rue and continue processing the property. If additional charges are filed, prosecutors are likely to pursue counts tied to each alleged animal victim. The discovery also highlights ongoing pressure on local shelters and animal‑welfare responders, who are already juggling high intake and limited capacity while handling disturbing cases like this one.
