HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) -- The sound of barking dogs led a state Department of Natural Resources officer to discover what would become a major animal cruelty investigation near Conway, newly released police records show.

The unidentified officer was called to the area of Merritt and Fowler roads last Thursday when he saw two loose dogs in the roadway.

"While dealing with these dogs, he heard more dogs barking and howling in a field beside him. While investigating the noise, (the officer) located a plethora of dogs tied to trees and placed in improper kennels" an Horry County Police Department incident report says.

Herbert Glendale Dozier, 64, was later arrested in 78 charges, including 39 counts of ill treatment of animals. He remains in custody at the J. Rueben Long Detention Center.

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