Man arrested, elderly woman injured after 40 wild wolfdogs found in North Carolina home

Deputies found the residence “uninhabitable for people and dogs,” the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

A North Carolina man has been arrested after 40 wild wolf-hybrid dogs were found in a home.

According to a press release shared on Facebook, Davidson County Sheriff's Office deputies found an injured elderly woman inside a residence with the animals after beginning an investigation into animal cruelty and an elder abuse and neglect case in the Denton area.

On Monday, June 24, officers then arrested Melvin “Sonny” Berry for “one count of domestic elder abuse/neglect with serious injury, one count of misdemeanor local ordinance and 20 counts of “animal cruelty charge,” the statement said.

The sheriff's office confirmed that the dogs “inside the residence were not social and were later determined to be feral.”

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“During the investigation, it was determined through observation, interviews and medical evaluations that an elderly female was living in a residence with over 40 wolf-hybrid dogs and had sustained injuries that led to social control in the residence where the female resided,” the post confirmed.

“Deputies found that the interior and exterior conditions of the residence were uninhabitable for people and dogs,” he added.

After extensive consultation with medical professionals and veterinary staff, the animals were humanely euthanized to protect public safety and area pets due to diseases they may have been exposed to and carrying, the sheriff's office said.

Berry is now scheduled to appear in Lexington District Court on July 23.

Sheriff Richie Simmons of the Davidson County Sheriff's Office said he had no additional information to add when contacted by PEOPLE.

According to WXII, Maria Wood, a board member of Fur-Ever Friends of North Carolina, said it is illegal to own this specific breed of dog in the state.

“I will say this is probably the worst I've ever seen as far as case hoarding goes,” she told the outlet. “They are left and right, they appear here and there.”

Related: Florida man arrested after allegedly throwing dog in trash can behind store

Wood added that because the animals were wild and sick, it could have been “really bad” within the Davidson County community.

“It could have been a huge threat to the community and other animals in the community, and it could have been very serious,” she told the publication. “The sad thing is they're paying the price, and so is this woman.”

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Wood stressed: “I think it's important for people to know that there is a correlation, a very high percentage of correlation, between elder abuse, animal abuse and child abuse. Where there's one, there's another.”

“If anyone witnesses any form of animal abuse or feels an animal is being neglected or is concerned, we can also request that a welfare check be carried out,” she continued.

Fur-Ever Friends did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for comment.

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