Junior Horton, the Carroll County business owner who was the target of a puppy mill sting by animal rights advocates in November, turned himself in Thursday to the Carroll County Sheriff's Department after charges were filed against him by the county's animal control officer, T.L. Woods.

Horton was released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.

Horton, who operated Horton's Pups in Hillsville where more than 1,000 dogs were discovered by local authorities acting on a tip from the Virginia Partnership for Animal Welfare and Support, faces 14 counts of animal cruelty, 25 counts of animal neglect and one count of failing to obtain a license tax for 125 unlicensed adult dogs.

Horton had kennel licenses for 500 dogs. Many of his stock were very young puppies that were not yet licensed.

The charges were brought after veterinarians examined dogs taken from Horton's Pups on Nov. 2. At that time, Horton agreed to surrender a large number of animals to authorities. More than 700 dogs were released in what the Humane Society of the United States called the largest dog rescue operation in the country. Most of the animals were taken to various shelters and private homes for care while awaiting adoption.

Veterinarians working with the animal welfare advocates filed reports to the office of Carroll County Commonwealth's Attorney Gregory Goad. The charges brought Thursday accuse Horton of depriving dogs of necessary food, drink, shelter or emergency veterinary treatment, and of failing to adequately house, feed, water, exercise or care for animals in his possession.

The 14 cruelty charges are Class 1 misdemeanors, punishable by a fine up to $2,500 and a year in jail on each charge. The 25 counts of neglect -- Class 3 misdemeanors -- warrant a fine of not more than $500 each. The charge of failure to obtain a license tax is a Class 4 misdemeanor, punishable by a $250 fine.

In November, Horton said he raised many of the puppies to sell to Pauley's Pups, a pet store in Ashland. He also said he sold directly to the public.

"I've got a business license with the town of Hillsville," he said then. "They knew what was going on here. They knew I had a business."

Saying he had raised dogs for 20 years and calling his kennel the best in Southwest Virginia, Horton nevertheless admitted in November that he had an excessive number of dogs.

"We just work at it day and night," he said of his puppy-breeding operation. "I've got too many dogs, and I know I do. But I think they should give me the right to get rid of them."

Horton could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon after charges were filed and did not respond to a message left on his answering service. His appearance in Carroll County General District Court is set for Tuesday.