Man turns himself in after more than 300 birds rescued from home

A man has been charged after more than 300 birds were seized during an animal hoarding investigation at a DeKalb County home last month.

Police said Abhay Trivedi turned himself into the DeKalb County jail on Friday.

On July 13, officers spent hours removing and cataloging hundreds of birds from a home near Lakeside High School. According to the police, someone tipped off DeKalb County Animal Services and an investigator secured a warrant for the home on Echo Trail.

"When they entered the location, they found well over 200 birds--they described in deplorable conditions, with some of them deceased," said Major Stephen Fore of the DeKalb County Police Department. "Rooms were just stacked with birds and cages. I mean, really unsanitary conditions."

Animal services employees wore scrubs and gently took bird after bird outside, while others kept a record of each bird rescued and its condition. DeKalb Police said rescuers recovered hundreds of birds and found 25 dead birds inside the home.

"Right now, there's so many birds in that residence that we've utilized all of the cages we have to contain them," explained Maj. Fore. "Animal services--they have put out a request that anyone that has any large parrot cages that they could donate, they can take them to the Animal Services on Camp Road and donate that to help contain some of these birds."

The county is caring for the birds until the court case against their owner is resolved. Officials said volunteers are needed to assist with feeding, watering, cleaning, vacuuming and other tasks. No experience is necessary, but volunteers must not have pet birds in their homes.

According to police, Trivedi has been charged with one count of animal cruelty.