(KCCI) [Seymour, Iowa] — A Southern Iowa dog breeder under investigation wants to give up the 189 dogs in his possession. KCCI reports that request was filed in a federal court motion Friday afternoon shows. Daniel Gingerich amassed 120 violations of the Animal Welfare Act since March, according to USDA records. USDA investigators visited his Seymour, Iowa facilities 18 times total. USDA records show investigators found emaciated and dead dogs and that Gingerich repeatedly failed to provide adequate nutrition, potable water and veterinary care for his dogs which resulted in “unnecessary suffering and death.”

Photos obtained by KCCI show the condition dogs were forced to live, and sometimes die in. The federal motion filed Friday by the United States Department of Justice says Gingerich wants to give up all dogs in his possession and “be relieved of further responsibilities for the care, control and management of all dogs under his care.” If approved by the court, the animals will go to The Love Pet Project, a 501(c)-3 organization based in Zionsville, Indiana, court records show. A team of 15 groomers, five veterinarians, a cardiologist and more are ready to come to Seymour to step in. The group specializes in helping animals in situations like this. The group is aware of the pending litigation and says it will provide the court any necessary information and will allow the USDA and the state to oversee the transfer of animals, records show. The motion says the transfer of animals can start 24 to 48 hours after the court grants the move and can be finished within seven days.

USDA found violations at Gingerich’s property as early as March, but waited until Sept. 7 to suspend his license temporarily. Further, the Department of Justice has filed a federal civil suit against Gingerich.