Charges expected after 85 dogs rescued from house fire

SOUTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — A man will likely be charged after rescue crews found dozens of dogs during a house fire.

Firefighters said at first they found 50 dogs and puppies when they responded to the house fire in South Fulton County on Sunday.

Now, that number is up to 85.

There has been non-stop barking inside the Fulton County animal shelter in northwest Atlanta since they’ve been brought in.

“They're terrified, they're cowered in their cages,” said Lifeline Animal Project’s Karen Hirsch.

Rescuers said it's one of the worst cases they've seen of animals living in unsafe surroundings.

"The conditions they were living in were just terrible,” Hirsch said. “I don't know if they ever got to go outside."

Rescuers said the dogs did have food and water, but were living in deplorable conditions.

"Health-wise, they don't have heartworms, they've been fed and seemingly cared for so we feel lucky,” Hirsch said.

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The dogs are undergoing tests and getting up to date on shots. But the Fulton County animal shelter is already at capacity, so there's an urgent need for people to volunteer to adopt or foster the animals.

Local rescue groups are stepping in to help find them loving new homes, to help give them a fresh start.

"Walking through and seeing their faces and seeing how terrified these animals that we've domesticate are of us, we've done them a great disservice and it breaks our hearts,” Hirsch said.

The man living in the house is expected to face multiple animal cruelty charges.

For information on how you can help the dogs, contact the Fulton County Animal Shelter.

Cox Media Group