GA: Man arrested after police find more than 60 dogs chained to trees

Man arrested after police find more than 60 dogs chained to trees

By: Natalie Fultz
Posted: Aug 28 2017 10:54PM EDT
Updated: Aug 29 2017 09:22AM EDT

POLK COUNTY, Ga. - Investigators have released the mugshot of a man who was arrested Monday after an anonymous tip led officials to a Polk County home where more than 60 dogs were chained to trees.

Devechio Rowland is facing at least 60 counts of animal cruelty. Police said there were dogs as far as the eye could see at his Aragon home Monday morning where they made the shocking discovery.


Dodd said officers bolted up to a local store to buy bowls for the pups.

"The fire department brought a truck and backed it up to the woods and we used their hose to fill the bowls with water," Dodd said. "Animal Control brought food for them as well."

With the sound of barking dogs leading the way, Chief Dodd said officers walked far into the woods to find the heartbreaking scene.

"No animal deserves to be treated like that," Dodd said. "It made me want to cry. It was horrible."

Chief Dodd said this isn't Rowland's first time behind bars on similar charges.


"We arrested him in 2010 on more than 120 charges of dog fighting and animal cruelty," Dodd said. "I don't think he was ever convicted."

The chief said besides finding a safe place for the animals to go in coming days, the department's number one priority is ensuring Rowland's conviction this time around.

"Justice wasn't served, so we are going to do everything we can to make sure this time justice is served," Dodd said.

There is an image gallery at the news link: http://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/276993578-story