Thirty-seven slightly malnourished dogs have been seized from 413 Frances Terrace, Daytona Beach. The owner of the dogs, William Bearer, said the dogs were his pets. The authorities are deciding whether to press charges.
Most of the dogs will be put up for adoption but a few will be euthanized because they lack social skills.
Bearer said, "It started as an accident and turned into a nightmare. I just wish people would let this go and let us go on with our lives."
On a tip, investigators visited Bearer's home and were shocked by what they found. There were dogs of various breeds and sizes running through the small house. Animal feces covered walls, floors and ceilings.
Many animals were malnourished and had matted fur. Some had long claws that curved and grew into their paw pads. Of of the dogs had to undergo surgery because a chain-link collar was embedded in the dog's neck.
"It seems he was an animal collector. He said it got out of hand and he didn't want to bring them (to the shelter) because he worried they would be killed."
Bearer and his wife, Jeanie, moved into the home approximately eight years ago with two dogs. Over the years they adopted more dogs from friends and neighbors to save the dogs from running in the streets. Jeanie's 87-year old mother and all 37 dogs have all lived in the home together for several years.
To the family they were pets and they fed them regularly. Bearer said he didn't let them go outside because he was afraid the neighbors would complain.
Bearer said, "We kept the place pretty clean. It wasn't all feces." Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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