Sheriff's deputies got a warrant to look for emaciated and deceased animals at 57830 Springhill Road, and authorities said the woman's affection for animals got out of control and she couldn't take care of them.
"This has been kind of an ongoing investigation for a period of time, and we're just able to get everything together, planning because this is a big feat today. There's a lot of animals down there," said Sheriff Dave Lucas, of the Belmont County Sheriff's Office.
Officials with the Humane Society of the United States and Belmont County Animal Rescue teams encountered a powerful smell as they removed mostly dogs and cats, about a dozen horses, chickens, goats and other animals inside and around the property.
"It's a bittersweet day. It's always hard to walk in and see animals suffering in those conditions. But the good news is that there's a light at the end of the tunnel, and we're just happy to help them find the good home that they deserve," said Karen Minton, the Ohio State director of the Humane Society of the United States.
So far, no charges are being filed, and humane officials said it's hard to find so many animals in terrible conditions in seizures like this one.
"Our reactions are the same as anyone's. It's heartbreaking to see such a large number of animals that are just desperate for your basic necessities, such as food and water," said Minton.
Trailers will take all the animals to a temporary shelter where specialists will treat them and eventually find them better homes.
Officials gathered evidence and continued to remove animals well into the evening, and Lucas said court proceedings will determine what happens next.
(WTOV9 - March 12, 2013)
(The Humane Society of the United States)
