GRASS VALLEY (CBS13) - They were hungry, skinny and neglected. Dozens of dogs that were in danger of starvation are recovering at local shelters.

The 29 dogs were left outside without food, and now the owner could be facing abuse charges.

Deputies say the man who owns the dogs was squatting on a piece of land and the dogs are now safe in a shelter. The woman taking care of them says she hasn't seen this many neglected dogs in a while.

Cherly Wicks of Sammy's Friends, a non-profit corporation in Grass Valley that provides veterinary care for animals, doesn't know all the dogs' names -- only that they are starving.

"They're pretty afraid, they don't know where they are," said Wicks.

Nevada County deputies found the neglected dogs on a piece of property off of Bear Trap Springs Road over the weekend.

Emma is one of the worst. You can almost see her ribs after she wasted away trying to feed her puppies.

"The sad part about the puppies is that they nurse the mother, and they are OK until they are eight weeks old, but the mother ends up being a bag of bones like Emma, who you saw," said Wicks.

After getting a tip that the owner was not feeding his dogs, deputies paid a visit and found more than two dozen hungry and neglected.

Deputies say the man, who is squatting on the property, let the dogs breed uncontrollably. The reason he gave deputies for not feeding them was he couldn't afford it.

Wicks says she's heard that line before.

"In a way, there is no real reason to not get help," Wicks.

She says there are resources available for people who can't take care of their pets.

Wicks hopes more people comes to Sammys Friends for help so she can avoid seeing animals looking like this.

"It's sad that they weren't better cared for -- both physically and emotionally," said Wicks.

Deputies haven't made any arrests yet, but they will hand over the case to the district attorney and wait to see what happens.

Deputies say they are also looking into charging the man for squatting on the property.