US firefighters find 85 dogs living in home and backyard covered in faeces, urine

A Georgia man faces animal cruelty charges after firefighters discovered 85 dogs in a home. Photo / Fulton County Animal Services

A Georgia man faces animal cruelty charges after firefighters discovered dozens of dogs living in poor conditions in a home.

Approximately 85 dogs were discovered as firefighters tried to enter a house to extinguish a blaze on Sunday morning.

Authorities say the home was soiled with animal faeces and urine, including the outside of the house and the backyard, according to the Daily Mail.

Several dogs were pregnant and at least one dog was dead. The dogs appear to be mixed-breed. Photo / Fulton County Animal Services

Several dogs were pregnant and at least one dog was dead. The dogs appeared to be mixed-breed.

Fulton County Deputy Fire Chief Charles Stubbs said the situation complicated efforts to fight the fire because it was hard to get into the home.

Stubbs says the owner was breeding dogs illegally and didn't have the permit required to have more than four dogs.

The man has not currently been named.

The owner was breeding dogs illegally and didn't have the permit required to have more than four dogs. Photo / Fulton County Animal Services

The owner surrendered the dogs and the situation was still under investigation.

Authorities said the dogs would be evaluated to determine which ones can be adopted.

"The dogs are safe and will receive medical care and placement assessments over the next few days, and may go to rescue or be available for adoption based on those assessments," Fulton County Animal Services said in a post.

The shelter is asking for supplies or donations to help with the sudden influx of animals.

A Georgia man faces animal cruelty charges after firefighters discovered 85 dogs in a home. Photo / Fulton County Animal Services

- additional reporting AP