Dozens of dogs seized from 78-year-old Georgia man's property

BROOKS COUNTY, Ga. – Dozens of dogs are recovering after being seized from an elderly Georgia man's property.

Animal control officers say they rescued 72 dogs from 78-year-old Richard Jerry McLeod's 2-acre property in Brooks county.

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They say McLeod was hoarding the dogs, who were found in junkyard cars, the woods and even a historic church.

They say there was little food or water, and most of the dogs had open wounds from fighting over resources.

"We had asked how many dogs were there, and I think his initial answer was something like 25. And so when we got about to number 50, we were beginning to sort of wonder what was going on." said Ed Williams of the Thomas County Humane Society.

Police say McLeod is is custody and faces several counts of animal cruelty charges. Officials say 3 of the dogs have died since being rescued and the rest remain in the care of the humane society.