FAIRMONT, W.Va. — A Fairmont resident has been charged after an investigation into animal cruelty.

David Griffin, 57, was charged with five counts of animal cruelty after an investigation found four dogs and a deceased dog were left in a Gilboa Street home.

The investigation began when deputies responded to a report of a dog chasing a horse on a neighboring property earlier this month.

After attempting to make contact with the homeowner, deputies obtained a search warrant and found four dogs living among trash and old food. A brown Labrador, a female chihuahua, a female terrier mix and a male terrier mix were removed by animal control.

Neighbors told deputies Griffin is away from home for weeks at a time and was last seen about a week prior to the incident.

Griffin is currently in the North Central Regional Jail on a $15,012 bond.