Man charged in deaths of 9 dogs, starving 13 others in NY
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A man has been charged with animal cruelty after authorities say nearly two dozen French mastiffs were found dead or starving on a rural upstate New York property.
Valdez Bentley was charged Thursday with 22 counts of failure to provide sustenance to his dogs. The 55-year-old was released from the Fulton County Jail after posting bail.
Authorities say they were alerted to the situation by a contractor taking photos of a dilapidated home in the town of Stratford, in the southern Adirondacks. Troopers say when they arrived they found nine of the dogs dead and another 13 extremely emaciated.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Police say the dogs had no food or water.
The surviving dogs are being cared for at a local humane society.
It couldn't be determined if Bentley has an attorney.