DeKalb County

Hundreds of birds seized from doctor's home

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Investigators raided a doctor’s home Wednesday and found hundreds of animals living in poor conditions.

More than 400 birds and eight dogs were seized from the home on Echo Trail in DeKalb County. Officers said at least 30 of the birds were dead.

Investigators said they got a tip that the homeowner was keeping birds and dogs in deplorable conditions.

"This ranks at the top. I've never seen anything like this with as many birds as they've located in this home."

Police said the exotic birds were not in adequate cages and were not getting enough food and water. The size of the property does not allow for more than three dogs. %

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Channel 2's Liz Artz was there as animal services brought dozens of cages out of the home.

Firefighters had to be called to the home because of toxic levels of ammonia.

“This ranks at the top. I’ve never seen anything like this with as many birds as they’ve located in this home,” DeKalb police Maj. Stephen Fore said.

A delivery man said he dropped off bags of birdseed twice a week at the home.

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“There have been some issues because he would dump packing material and it would wash down the street,” he said.

Investigators said once all of the birds are removed, they will turn the findings over to the district attorney for charges.

Animal services said the birds will be held as evidence at an undisclosed location. The parrots and finches will not be adopted out until after the case goes to court.

Fore said the homeowner could face felony animal cruelty charges.