Matt Hamilton/Daily Citizen-NewsVolunteer Kim Wilson, left, takes a dog from Murray County Animal Control Director Lisa Green. Some 70 dogs were removed Wednesday from a property on Old Federal Road and taken to Atlanta Humane Society shelters.

CHATSWORTH, Ga. — District Attorney Bert Poston said Thursday any decision on whether to charge the owners of some 70 dogs removed from a home just north of Chatsworth will be made after Murray County Sheriff’s Office completes its investigation.

“Once they finish their part they will review that with us before any charging decisions are made,” he said. “I can’t say how long that would take. It somewhat depends on what they find on a dog-by-dog basis once a vet has examined them. I can’t say what all charges are possible but obviously looking at animal cruelty based on neglect.”

Poston said he’s not aware of any laws that ban owning many dogs.

The dogs were taken to Atlanta Humane Society shelters in Atlanta.

“We are waiting to get a report back from the Humane Society,” said Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jimmy Davenport. “It is my understanding that they have a veterinarian who will do a complete assessment of each animal. I do not know how long that will take. But when we have that information we will sit down with the DA’s office and share everything we have.”

Several of the 70 dogs removed from a Murray County home Wednesday had missing eyes, according to a spokeswoman for the Atlanta Humane Society

“That typically comes from an infection that was left untreated,” said Humane Society spokeswoman Christina Hill. “They were in varied shape. Some of them are in fine shape and are ready for adoption. Others had skin infections and other conditions that are going to require some love and medicine before they are ready for adoption. None of them were in conditions where they were dying. They weren’t in great conditions, but with a little love and care they are all going to be able to be placed into loving homes.”

The Murray County Animal Shelter contacted the Atlanta Humane Society Tuesday night to help remove the dogs because of the number of animals was too large for any local shelter. Davenport said Wednesday that Murray County Animal Control received a tip about the property Monday morning and reached out to the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office got a search warrant for the property, which is about an acre, and searched it Tuesday night.

At that point, the animals were confined to the property until authorities could figure out where to place them. Davenport said a man and a woman whom he believes to be husband and wife own the property.

Davenport said after the search warrant was issued but before the property was searched the female owner of the property called animal control to surrender the dogs.

Hill said the some of the puppies that were removed from the home should be available for adoption this weekend or by early next week. The older dogs will be made available for adoption as they become healthy and ready.

Hill said the Humane Society will post on its Facebook page when the first dogs are ready for adoption. They will also post photos of each of the dogs as they are available on their website at atlantahumane.org/adopt/dogs.

Hill said all of the dogs were checked to see if they had been microchipped by an owner. None had been.