Pickens County deputies have arrested a father and son for keeping dogs in a living situation that a local veterinarian called the most "disgustingly filthy" that he had witnessed in 20 years.

Deputies visited a home in the Twin Mountain Lake area after a tip. When the arrived, officials say they found the bodies of multiple dogs partially buried in a seemingly abandoned home.

While investigating, the deputies had to wear breathing apparatuses due to the smell of fecal matter and decay. According to police, they found two dogs living in crates, with additional dogs rolling through the home.

Detectives said that "every horizontal surface of the home was covered in fecal matter and filth."

During an investigation, detectives traced the ownership of the vacated home to Thomas Lamar Raye, 55, and learned that his son, James William Raye, 30, was feeding the animals.

After four dogs were captured, veterinarians found they all had both hookworms and roundworms. They are now being treated by the Pickens County Animal Shelter. Officials are still trying to capture the remaining dogs.


James and Thomas Raye have been arrested and are being held at the Pickens County Adult Detention Center. They have both been charged with two counts of felony aggravated cruelty to animals and four counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals.