GWINNETT COUNTY -- Police in Snellville are calling a case of animal cruelty the worst they’ve ever seen. They found 9 starving dogs, plus 2 dead dogs, inside a filthy home.

After receiving several complaints, animal control officers and Snellville police went to the home of 43-year-old Elliott Reese. Police and vets say what they found there, is heartbreaking.

Police say they found 9 Doberman pinchers, emaciated and diseased. Some paced in circles and others were too sick to move. A couple of the dogs just wanted attention. Vets say the dogs were neglected and starving to death.

"I was sick to my stomach to see that somebody could not care for animals in that way,” said veterinarian Dr. Solveig Evans.

VIDEO: Sick Dogs Found In 'Filthy' Home

Gwinnett Animal Control officers and Snellville police removed 12 dogs from a Snellville home after observing 9 malnourished Dobermans and 2 dead Dobermans in filthy living conditions. A mixed breed pit bull was in better shape but was also taken from the home. Officers said they were disgusted by what they saw and smelled.

“Some of the officers on the scene had to wear gas masks, it was so powerful,” said Sgt. Ray Gunter with the Snellville Police Department.

Snellville police say that Reese is the dog’s owner. Now he must turn himself in for felony animal cruelty charges.

"Everybody knew about the dogs. I guess it was a shock that they were dead. But not that they were down there because all of us know they're down there,” said neighbor Patsy Fesmira.

Vets say the 9 surviving Dobermans have a tough road ahead and some may not survive.

“I'm not a violent person but it makes me really want to hurt the person that did this,” said Dr. Evans.

Reese was not home when officers were there so police are waiting for him to turn himself in.

Police say Reese served time previously for a battery charge and that he has an extensive criminal history.