MAYNARDVILLE, Tenn. — A 27-year-old man is charged with aggravated animal cruelty after an animal abuse complaint was made to the Union County Sheriff's Office.

A warrant for Alan Nicely was issued on Nov. 18 after a deputy arrived at a home on Hubbs Grove Road in North Maynardville, finding a dog chained to "what appeared to be a black tarp in the front right side of the yard." The incident report said the dog was severely underweight and had no food, water or shelter.

As the deputy waited for Nicely to arrive at the home, he said he took the dog to his vehicle, where it pushed some leaves around on the ground to drink the water underneath.

According to the report, Nicely said his wife had gotten the dog from Young Williams Animal Center three months before — he then said he tried to r

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