Dozens of animals rescued in Sevier County, Tennessee. hoarding case

It always upsets me to see stories like this. I simply cannot understand how people can stand by and watch this happen. According to the story, the authorities had visited the home and had tried to work with the man and this was the end result. Things went from bad to worse. Could they not have stepped in a little sooner so the animals did not suffer longer?
Check out the story here.