A man is in custody and being evaluated after deputies rescued three dogs who were bound with duct tape and electrical cords in the old Ebenezer schoolhouse Thursday.

Because the case involves a suspect with possible mental illness, his name is not being released at this time, but Pike County Sheriff Russell Thomas said he is 27 years old.

“We’ve encountered him before,” Thomas shared, noting a history of violence in those encounters.

The three dogs were taken to the City of Troy pound Thursday night for food, water and care and are being held there as the case is investigated.

Deputies responded to the schoolhouse after a concerned caller believed they heard animals locked in the building. Deputies responded to find two dogs, their mouths covered with duct tape and their feet bound with duct tape, tied to kitchen sink pipes with electrical cords. A third dog was found in the same condition in another area of the building.