YORK COUNTY, S.C. — Dozens of animals were rescued from "horrible conditions" in York County, authorities said Monday.
The York County Sheriff's Office said its deputies are working in conjunction with animal control officers at a property on West Liberty Hill Road in York.
Investigators told WCNC Charlotte's Chloe Leshner that in total, 80 dogs, two monkeys, and a bird were rescued from "horrible living conditions." The owner of the house, David Andrew Barber, was arrested and taken off the property in the back of a squad car.
"The smell about knocked me over. There's feces everywhere, flies everywhere," Trent Faris, the Public Information Officer for the York County Sheriff's Office. "There were cages stacked on cages. A room that had walls plywood walls separating dogs from other dogs."
The investigation had been ongoing for months, Faris said some neighbors had complained.
"I've heard what sounds like puppies barking a lot, my grandma said she's hearing same thing," Reagan Eaker, a neighbor said.
All of the animals were taken to the York County Animal Control Shelter to be evaluated and treated. The shelter is now overwhelmed and closed.
"Eighty is the largest I've had in nine years working for the Sheriff's Office. That is the most, I think we've had 15, 20 in the past, this is the most," Faris said.
Deputies say Barber would sell the dogs online and are urging buyers to beware.
"If you are buying an animal on a site like that, Craigslist, or something where they say hey I've got puppies for sale, always do your homework," Faris said. "Make sure you ask around about those people selling animals and just make sure that they're coming from a clean and healthy environment to go into your clean and healthy environment."
Deputies also recovered meth and illegal guns inside the house. Barber will face charges for that too.
Contact Chloe Leshner at cleshner@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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