Police in Texas are investigating a serious case of animal cruelty after nine dogs were discovered in cages outside in the heat. One dog has since died.

The surviving dogs are recovering at the Giddings Animal Shelter outside Austin.

ISAIAH BUGGS OF THE CHIEFS, ALREADY CHARGED WITH ANIMAL CRUELTY, WAS ARRESTED FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/BURGLARY

“It was sad,” Manor Police Chief Ryan Phipps told FOX 7 Austin. “It was a sad situation.”

Manor police told FOX 7 Austin that officers discovered the dogs in temperatures of 104 degrees Fahrenheit and a heat index of 108 degrees Fahrenheit. The dogs were locked in cages in the suspect’s backyard and had no food or water.

Two of the dogs were wearing sweaters at the time of discovery. According to neighbors, the dogs had been wearing the same sweaters since last winter.

Eyeisha Young, pictured in her booking photo, left nine dogs in locked cages in the Texas summer heat. (Austin Police Department)

The ninth neglected dog died in a nearby veterinary clinic.

“Our officers love the animals. And when you have to deal with that and see animals in distress, it’s a sad situation,” Police Chief Phipps told FOX 7 Austin.

Police in Texas: Thieves steal copper from power lines ‘right in front of your eyes’: ‘They’ll go to whatever they can’

The dog owner, Eyeisha Young, was arrested for leaving the dogs outside.

Under Texas law, Ms. Young has the right to demand the return of the dogs. The final decision on the permanent ownership of her dogs will be made by a judge.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Manor Police plan to seek ownership of the remaining dogs in court in order to put them up for adoption.