A Mercer County man is charged with nearly 80 animal cruelty charges after police found several dead farm animals and several more who were malnourished or unattended to.

According to a criminal complaint The Humane Society of Mercer County received a call regarding possibly deceased animals at a property on the 200 Block of North Hope Mill Road in Mercer Borough.

A search warrant was obtained and the property was searched. According to the complaint, investigation revealed two dead animals in the road and five sheep roaming around the property freely.

Humane agents also found a barn with several goats roaming around including one dead goat inside the barn and three more dead goats outside of the barn.

Additional investigation revealed dead chickens, as well a live rooster and several live hens with no food or water, several pigs with no food or water, a duck with a broken leg and two rabbits in cages with no food or water.

Humane agents spoke to the property owner, identified as 73-year-old Ronald Bequeath who allegedly told them the situation at the property was due to "bad weather."

The complaint states Beqeath further told agents that the goats were not his, but agents explained they were still his responsibility since they were on his property.

The complaint alleges this is not the first time humane agents have dealt with Beqeath with another encounter allegedly resulting in all animals on the property being relinquished to the Humane Society.

"This situation shows no regard for proper animal care," the complaint reads.

Bequeath is charged with 77 counts total including seven felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, 35 misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and 35 misdemeanor counts of neglect of animals.

He was arraigned on Wednesday, February 26 and is due back in court March 13 for a preliminary hearing.