Eight people are facing a combined 232 animal cruelty-related charges after law enforcement discovered a horrific scene of more than two dozen dogs at a Micanopy property, including some that were found locked in a kennel crawling over other deceased dogs.

An arrest report from the Alachua County Sheriff's Office shows that at least four people were arrested Wednesday: William Garcia, 27; Erin Douglas, 27; Kimberly Hicks, 43; and Dawson Hicks, 22.

The other four subsequently charged are William Ferguson Sr, 69; Debra Ferguson, 63; Stephanie Prentzler, 38; and Steven Lancaster, 60. 

Each was charged with 24 counts of felony aggravated animal cruelty and five counts of unlawful disposal of a dead animal, a second-degree misdemeanor. Lancaster faces an additional charge of unlawfully dumping raw human waste.

"All residents on the property assisted in the animals receiving the treatment they did and were directly responsible for their care yet all failed to take action to protect these animals from death and unnecessary pain and suffering," said Deputy Matthew Davis in the report.

Douglas, Kimberly Hicks and Garcia each admitted to owning or being involved with the dogs in some way, according to the arrest report. Others stopped talking after they were Mirandized.

"Garcia stated that there was multiple deceased puppies buried at the location, in addition to the two deceased inside of a kennel on the front porch," the report states.  He went on to tell investigators that the puppies died "approximately a month ago when it was cold and that they were buried to the backside of a camper on the property."

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Deputies arrived on the scene at the Micanopy property, located at 17405 S.E. County Road 234, which shares a fenced yard with another residence, following a neighbor's tip.

At least 18 dogs have been found alive in a neglected condition with some having ribs protruding from their skin as of late Thursday. A medium-sized pig was also found malnourished. Another four dogs were spotted in the woods but have not yet been retrieved by animal services.

"All dogs also had a large number of fleas and ticks visible on them along with flies circling them," the report states.

The responding deputy said he could hear yelping and wailing animals in physical pain upon arrival.

At least three of the living dogs were young puppies found lying in the driveway too weak to stand on their own, the deputy reported. Three others were found locked inside a kennel resting on top of two dead dogs.

"The living puppies were still laying on top of the deceased animals who were laying in the water bowl inside of the cage. The cage also had obvious mold both on it and within the water bowl," the report states.

The deputy also found skeletal remains of three other dogs on the property, the report states. Two additional dogs were located in separate cages within the woods without signs of food or water.

"The lack of food, water, clean or adequate shelter, and veterinary care directly led to the condition of and death of several of the dogs on the property," the deputy wrote in the report.

Deputies described the residence as extremely dilapidated and not appearing to have electricity or running water. Animal feces littered the house and large mounds of trash filled the front yard of the residence with a camper that had an open waste line allowing human feces to pour directly into the ground, according to the report.

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A female dog was found with several weak puppies. Deputies say this female dog was malnourished and unable to put pressure on one rear leg due to an injury. However, she was still attempting to care for her puppies by helping them to move under a vehicle to get out of the rain.

Ed Williams, director of the county's animal resources and care department, said that the condition of many of the animals was life-threatening and caused for their immediate removal and veterinary care.

After about 15 years of experience and seeing similar cases, Williams described the situation as sad and unthinkable. Due to the condition of the animals, he added, the dogs will not be available for adoption for a while.

"It was unfortunate that this sort of thing happened," he said. "It's very sad to see that. A couple of the deceased animals were in close proximity to the living corridors. It's just very puzzling that someone living there was walking past that and didn't do anything about it."