A woman in Valley Falls has been charged with 26 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and one count of child endangerment.
According to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society Laurie Hussey had 26 dogs, two cats and her own daughter living in deplorable conditions at her home on 227 Croll Road.
"Everything from being infested with flees to being dehydrated, their fur is covered in urine and their caked in feces, they have ear mites," said Brad Shear of the humane society. "Just small pathways throughout the home that you could barely walk on and the rest was filled with trash."
According to Hussey she bought most of the dogs from a breeder in Kentucky and was in the process of finding them homes.
"I was just trying to help somebody out and it just got really out of hand," said Hussey. "It wasn't my intention of keeping them, I was trying to find homes and I did find homes for some."
Hussey said she maxed out her credit cards on food and veterinary bills. She was selling the dogs to make that money back and possibly make a profit, but she did not consider it a business.
"If people consider that a business then I consider it just having a big heart and caring," said Hussey.
Hussey was also charged with child endangerment because her eight-year-old daughter was living in the home.
"Obviously I'm a mess, but I'm not a bad person when it comes to animals or my daughter and I'm not a monster that they make me out to be," said Hussey.
The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society is optimistic most of the animals will survive and they are now looking for new homes for them.
NEWS10 ABC
