Man charged in deaths of 9 dogs, starving of 13 others

STRATFORD, N.Y. – A man has been charged with animal cruelty after 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 13 others extremely emaciated.

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.