JACKSONVILLE, Fla. ā A Jacksonville man is charged with 16 counts of aggravated animal cruelty.
The complaint shows the dogs had no potable water, little food, cages filled with feces and urine, and were emaciated.
The dogs are now being cared for at ACPS, which is trying to get sole legal custody of the animals.
According to an arrest report, the case against Mercer began on Sept. 24, when a neighbor reported an awful smell coming from Mercerās home, along with the sound of barking dogs.
An animal control officer went to the home and found 16 canines, most of which were hound dogs, that were used for hunting, according to Mercer.