FAYETTEVILLE — More than a dozen dead and decomposing animals were found this weekend inside a Fayetteville home. Neighbors say the odor was so bad, you could smell it from the street.

"I saw cages where animals had tried to chew to get into the cage to get what was in there," says realtor Ken Schultz.

The owner of the home on Sapona Road in Fayetteville asked Schultz to put it on the market for her. When Schultz went to check out the home, he was shocked at what he found.

"We opened up the doors and that's when we found the dead German Shepherd decaying upstairs in an open room. That's when we found more large birds in large cages, beautiful macaws that were disintegrating."

Schultz took photographs of what he saw. They show what was left of the birds, dogs and snakes he found inside.

Animal Control officer Sgt. Johnnie Smith says it is the worst case of animal abuse he has seen in 23 years on the job.

Investigators say they do not know how long it has been since anyone lived in the home. Two names appear on the rental agreement, including Audrey Collins, who was convicted on 31 counts of animal cruelty in 1998.

Investigators say Collins denies ever having lived in the house, and are now looking for Kevin Giles, whose name also appears on the lease.

"It is our intent to make sure that the person or persons who are responsible for this situation is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law," says Smith.

Animal Control has turned the case over to the Fayetteville Police Department.

Animal cruelty was elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony last year.

The owner of the home, which has been condemned, who lives in Alaska, is responsible for cleaning up what was found.