A Michigan man was charged with animal abuse after officials discovered more than 160 dogs in and around his property.
Raymond Feagles, 72, was charged with felony animal abuse and neglect after pleading not guilty during his arraignment on Tuesday.
According to a statement released by the Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Office, the dogs were discovered after several agencies coordinated blight remediation of Feagles’ property in East Bay township.
The clean-up occurred after Feagles failed to appear at a hearing dealing with a previous blight case for violating a junk ordinance.
Many states, including Michigan, have their own blight remediation programs which work to clean up vacant and abandoned properties as well as properties deemed dangerous or hazardous.
The program was started in 2010 to provide assistance to those living in states hit the hardest from the foreclosure crisis.
When officials with the Grand Traverse County Health Department’s Animal Control and GTSO arrived at the property, they uncovered 163 dogs living in “unsafe conditions” and in need of veterinary care.
Officials also found about 20 dogs outside without proper food or water and “a bag with five dead puppies,” WPBN-TV reported. The local NBC affiliate also reported that 32 dogs were dead and five had to be euthanized.
In the statement, GTSO said that although extensive planning went into the coordinated clean-up, a rescue effort of “this level was not predicted nor could have been anticipated by any agency.”
Throughout the next few days, county and township officials worked to remove the dogs from the property and bring them to animal shelters.
“It is unknown how long the dogs will be in the care of local agencies,” the Sheriff’s Office statement read. “In anticipation of the lengthy care, continuing donations and supplies are appreciated.”
The statement added that half a dozen animal control departments worked with two humane societies to provide assistance and care for the animals.
Grand Traverse Animal Control is currently investigating the cause of death for any dogs found deceased and is also facilitating the care of the dogs.
GTSO said in a statement that donations and supplies are appreciated as it is still unclear how long the dogs will need to stay in the care of several counties and agencies.
A post from the Cherryland Humane Society’s Facebook said they were seeking donations for cleaning supplies, pee pads, and large storage containers with lids.
Feagles is scheduled in court for a preliminary hearing on February 22.
Newsweek reached out to the Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Office for more information.
Joseph Eid/AFP via Getty Images