CONCORD, N.C. — Cabarrus County animal shelter workers are trying to find new homes for more than 20 dogs after investigators found them in a case of animal hoarding.
Deputies said the dogs were living in deplorable conditions inside a home on Valley Street NW in Concord, describing it as the worst they've seen in nearly 20 years.
"I've been inside puppy mills with over 100 dogs, I've been inside plenty of animal hoarder homes, and this by far, is the worst I've seen," Brian Eggers from Animal Control said. "Oh, the smell was incredible, just the stinging smell of ammonia.
Eggers said he was the first officer inside the home Monday.
"The first room we went in just tamped down feces and a bunch of unused furniture, garbage, trash strewn all about the house," Eggers said.
[ALSO READ: Dogs rescued from Union County hoarding situation adapting well]
Officers said they were able to get the owner to voluntarily surrender all 23 dogs, most of which were suffering from skin ailments.
"Big patches of fur missing, some of them developed some scabs from where they have been scratching," Eggers said. "He didn't see an issue with how they were being kept, he told me they were fine they were happy."
Shelter officials said they are confident they can cure the medical issues so they can work toward working with the dogs' socialization skills to prepare them for adoption.
They said it could, however, take weeks to months before the dogs are ready for adoption. The shelter said if you wish to donate, they accept any of the Rachel Rae brands of dog food.
Authorities said so far, the owner has not been charged, but the house is condemned and he has 48 hours to leave the home.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- Injured gymnast from Huntersville undergoes surgery on both knees
- Anson County deputy accused of planting drugs as part of revenge plot
- Father charged with murder after boy found dead in Union County home
- TRACKING: Clean up begins as threat of more afternoon storms looms
- 600-pound black bear killed when car slams into it on NC highway
Cox Media Group