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

Officers found the residence “uninhabitable for humans and dogs,” the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.

A man in North Carolina was arrested after 40 wild wolf hybrids were found in a home.

According to a press release shared on Facebook, officers with the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office found an injured elderly woman in a residence with animals after investigating animal cruelty and a case of domestic abuse and elder neglect in the Denton area.

Then on Monday, June 24, officers arrested Melvin “Sonny” Berry “on one count of domestic elder abuse/neglect causing serious injury, one count of violating local ordinance and 20 counts of minor animal cruelty,” the press release states.

The sheriff’s office confirmed that the dogs “were unsocial in the home and were later classified as feral.”

Related: Ohio man arrested after puppy found abandoned and tied in drawstring bag at local park

“During the investigation, it was determined through observation, interviews and medical examination that an elderly woman lived in a home with over 40 wolf hybrid dogs and had sustained injuries that led to a welfare review of the animal in the home where the woman lived,” the post confirmed.

“Officers found that conditions inside and outside the residence were uninhabitable for humans and dogs,” it said.

After numerous consultations with medical and veterinary personnel, the animals were humanely euthanized to protect the public and pets in the area due to possible exposure to or transmission of disease, the sheriff’s office said.

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

When contacted by PEOPLE, Sheriff Richie Simmons of the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office said he could not add any further information.

According to WXII, Maria Wood, board member of Fur-Ever Friends of North Carolina, stated that owning this particular breed of dog is illegal in the state.

“I would say this is probably the worst thing I’ve ever experienced in terms of hoarding,” she told the outlet. “It’s everywhere, it’s popping up here and there.”

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

Wood added that things could have ended “really badly” for the Davidson County community because the animals were feral and sick.

“It could have been a huge threat to the community and other animals in the community, and it could have been really bad,” she told the publication. “The sad thing is they pay the price for it, and this woman had to, too.”

Want to stay up to date with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter to get breaking crime news, ongoing court coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

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

“If someone witnesses any kind of animal abuse or feels that an animal is being neglected or is concerned, we can also request a welfare check on the animal,” she continued.

Fur-Ever Friends did not immediately respond after PEOPLE reached out for comment.

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive more People news!

Read the original article on People.