A 77-year-old woman has been arrested after authorities rescued more than 90 cats and dogs from a home “filled with animal faeces”.
Emergency crews removed 80 cats and 12 dogs from the property after officers discovered the animals living in what officials called hazardous conditions.
Animal welfare officers, firefighters and a specialist hazmat team were all called in to safely enter the house because of the conditions inside, as reported by Need To Know.
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The animals were assessed and given immediate care following the rescue, with officials working to identify their owners after discovering that some had originally belonged to other families.
Five animals have already been reunited with their owners, while efforts continue to trace where the remaining pets came from.
The homeowner, Gail Giustino, has been charged with one count of animal cruelty and one count of confining animals without sufficient exercise.
Her bond has been set at £37,401.75 ($50,000).
Officials said they believe Giustino thought she was helping the animals but had become overwhelmed and was ultimately unable to provide the level of care they required.
In a statement, the sheriff’s office praised animal services staff, the local humane society and firefighters for their response.
It said: “Members of the Animal Services Division and the Humane Society have worked tirelessly to assess each animal and provide immediate care.
“We are thankful for the incredible partnership of the Fire Rescue Hazmat Team, whose expertise ensured responders could safely enter and work within the hazardous conditions inside the home.
“While Ms Giustino believed she was helping these animals, she was going about it in the wrong way, ultimately being unable to provide the care they required.
“We are also working to ensure she receives the assistance and resources she needs.”
The incident unfolded at a home on SW Meadowlark Circle in Martin County, Florida, where deputies launched an investigation after concerns were raised about the welfare of dozens of animals inside.
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