WEBSTER, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com/AP) - Police say a Webster woman is facing animal cruelty charges after 21 dogs, several cats and several birds were found living in squalor in a home.
Some of the animals 29 living animals were emaciated, malnourished and living in dirty kennels that were too small for them.
Beatrice Nielson, a 50-year-old Auburn woman, said she used the building in Webster as a kennel while helping dogs find new owners.
"I am dog. I have helped thousands of dogs find new homes and rehabilitated them. This is absolutely an insult," Nielson said.
Brooks said police received a call from the Board of Health regarding health and sanitation issues at the home.
Health officials told police that when they arrived there was a foul odor coming from the residence. Police had to wear hazmat suits when inside the home and found a dead dog out back.
"The dead dog that was on the premises was my English bulldog, faith, who passed away on Saturday evening at 11 years old,” Nielson said.
Animal feces and urine was found throughout the residence and the crates that some of the animals were in.
"The feces and the urine; trash everywhere, just the overall condition of the house. It wasn't safe for anybody to go into that house without protective clothing,” Webster Police officer Michael Shaw.
The Board of Health and animal control made entry with Nielson's consent, and she was cooperative prior to her arrest.
Nielson was charged with 29 counts of cruelty to animals.
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