Forsyth Man Charged with 30 Counts of Animal Cruelty

CUMMING, GA -- A Forsyth County man has been charged with 30 counts of animal cruelty for keeping dozens of dogs in deplorable conditions.

Billy Ray Shirley, 59, of Cumming, is being held at Forsyth County Jail on $34,650 bond.

The charges stem from a February 3 search warrant, during which Forsyth County Sheriff’s deputies found 27 dogs in a home on Franklin Goldmine Road in north Forsyth County.

Authorities said the dogs were being kept in horrible conditions and that one dog was found dead.

A spokesman for the Forsyth County Sheriff’s office said the warrant was obtained after authorities got information from an area hospital about a person who showed up with unspecified injuries.

The dogs were removed from the residence and placed with the Forsyth County Animal Shelter “due to the deplorable conditions and the animals’ well-being,” according to a sheriff’s office news release.