Animal Shelter Rescues 65 Dogs From 'Overwhelmed' Pet Owner in Georgia

An animal rescue shelter in Atlanta, Georgia has saved over 60 dogs from a property belonging to an "overwhelmed" pet owner.

The Atlanta Humane Society (AHS) worked alongside Hancock Animal Friends and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in the rescue mission this month. Sixty-five dogs were seized from the same owner at a central Georgia property.

Little information has been disclosed about the owner, but AHS described the situation as an "overwhelmed pet owner."

Twenty-nine dogs and puppies will be placed into the care of the AHS. Many will need medical and behavioral support and the society said the animals "desperately" needed the public's help.

Images shared by the shelter showed the dogs being taken into its care from the property with cages in the background. One dog appeared to have skin injuries on its face.

In Georgia, animal neglect can be classed as animal cruelty if a pet owner fails to provide "adequate food, water, sanitary conditions, or ventilation that is consistent with what a reasonable person of ordinary knowledge would believe is the normal requirement and feeding habit for such animal's size, species, breed, age, and physical condition."

Being found guilty of cruelty to animals is a misdemeanor for the first offense, which could result in up to one year in jail and a fine of $1,000. AHS have not confirmed whether legal action is set to take place.

Newsweek has contacted the Atlanta Humane Society for further information and comment.

Stories of mass rescues are not as few and far between as many would expect or hope. Just last month, almost two dozen dogs were rescued in Massachusetts by an animal welfare organization.

The owners of the 23 dogs reportedly called the MSPCA, an animal welfare organization, after realizing they could no longer care for the animals themselves.

Nine of the dogs were being kept in a shed at the property. All the dogs were a Yorkie-Chihuahua mix and ranged from one to 16 years old.

March also saw animal control in Williamson County, Texas, seize 41 animals from a private residence involved in a "possible animal cruelty situation."

The Williamson County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Unit impounded the 39 dogs and two cats with the help of the owner before transferring them to the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter. At the time of reporting, the case was under investigation.

With the shelter already full however, the animals had to be stored in cages in the lobby until enough animals were adopted out to create space.