Animal crimes investigators from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said the stench from the property in the area of Cave Creek Road just west of Black Mountain Summit Park struck them before they got down the driveway to the house of Lucille Willis.
Another investigator said the condition of a dog, one of three on the property, was the worst he had ever seen. The dog was rushed to a veterinarian.
"He was panting, it appeared he had some eye issues, (and he was) covered in fleas and ticks," MCSO Det. Dave Evans said. "It was hard to look at."
Investigators said they also found one dead and 20 live cats on the property.
Willis was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on 23 counts of misdemeanor animal shelter charge and 23 counts of failure to provide medical care.
"It's deplorable," Evans said. "An animal doesn't have a choice. A person can walk out the front door and leave; an animal can't."
A complaint about the property on Wednesday prompted the sheriff's office to serve a warrant Thursday.
"I'm emotionally disturbed about this, and I'm just really glad that something is finally getting done," said a neighbor who identified herself as Corrine B.
(AZ Family - March 20, 2015)
