Latest news, weather and high school sports for Albany and Southwest Georgia

(AP) -- Washington County officials have arrested a man they say kept 25 emaciated and scarred dogs chained to tires, axles and posts on a sprawling hunting property. 

Investigators found another 27 buried dog carcasses, and the sheriff said there could be others. Sheriff Thomas Smith says officials believe the dogs were involved in dog fighting. 

Authorities says officials plan to charge 52-year-old Billy Taylor Jr. with animal cruelty. He's already charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. 

Taylor 's prior felony conviction was for forgery in DeKalb County in 1998. 

The sheriff's office began investigating the cruelty case about four months ago and called on the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for help several weeks ago.  The dogs involve include pit bulls, chows and German Shepherds.

(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)