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Chester County deputies find 116 dogs living in 'deplorable' conditions

RICHBURG, S.C. — Chester County deputies said they found 116 dogs in "deplorable" conditions Friday at a home in Chester, Channel 9's partners at the Rock Hill Herald reported.

Investigators said many of the Doberman pinschers puppies and dogs did not have food or water and had injuries that had not been treated.

Deputies charged Jordan Johnson, 47, with 116 counts of ill treatment of animals and 81 counts of failure to inoculate for rabies, the sheriff's office said.

Officials found out about the puppy mill after some of the dogs escaped and ran to a neighbor’s home. When the neighbor returned the dog and saw the state of the property, he or she called the authorities.

Chief Deputy Robert Sprouse said that many of the dogs suffer from malnutrition, dehydration and untreated injuries. He also said many were living in their own feces.

Some dogs didn't have any water and others had old food that was runny from rain.

Chester County Animal Control officials do not believe that any of the dogs need to be euthanized and are now trying to find foster homes for them.

Officials asked anyone who can house a dog to call 803-385-6341.