Fifteen dogs and a cat rescued from a Bay Minette property are now in the care of Baldwin County Animal Control after their owner was arrested on an animal cruelty charge.

Baldwin County Animal Control took custody of the animals following an Aug. 31 welfare check by Baldwin County Sheriff's Office Rural Enforcement deputies, which led to the arrest of Jessica Phillips of Bay Minette on a charge of aggravated animal cruelty, according to a sheriff's office release. Deputies found a dead dog inside a chain-link kennel and 15 additional dogs, several severely malnourished, confined in two other kennels without food or clean water, the release states.

The surviving dogs and a cat are now receiving veterinary evaluation and treatment at the shelter.

In a public announcement, Baldwin County Animal Shelter said the rescued animals are not currently available for adoption while they undergo medical care.

"They are in the process of medical treatments and evaluations," the shelter said. "If and when they become available to the public, they will be posted in our available for adoption album."

The shelter noted it has more than 60 other dogs already available for adoption for those interested in adopting now.

The investigation into Phillips remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed according to the release.