Shocking Photos Show 77-Year-Old Animal Hoarder's Home 'Covered With Feces'; Faces 43 Cruelty Charges

An elderly Arizona woman has been slapped with dozens of animal cruelty charges after authorities discovered she locked up several dogs inside two properties that were "covered with feces, trash and urine," according to police.

Betty Lynne Fuchsel, 77, was taken into custody Wednesday in connection to an animal hoarding complaint conducted by the Mohave County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), the department said in a statement.

The investigation centered on Fuchsel's two residences located in the 15000 block of North Garnet Drive and 16000 block of North Kathleen Drive in the Dolan Springs, where some animals "were running at large and attacking livestock in the area," police claimed.

Fuchsel received several citations for violations over the past several years but failed to comply or appear in court, the MCSO said.

Following her arrest, authorities obtained warrants to search Fuchsel's properties and discovered "the floors were found to be covered with feces, trash, and urine," the statement read.

Several dogs that appeared "emaciated and in various stages of neglect" were also found locked up inside the residences and in vehicles located on the properties with no access to food or water, according to authorities.

A total of 43 dogs were seized; several of which were given immediate emergency veterinarian care. The animals have since been turned over to the care and custody of the Mohave County Animal Shelter.

Fuchsel has been charged with 43 additional counts of animal cruelty, a class 5 felony.

In a similar story, two women in New Jersey were arrested after police discovered as many as 180 animals living in cruel conditions at their home.

A total of 135 dogs and 45 cats of various breeds, sizes and ages were removed from the single-story Brick Township home of Aimee Lonczak, 49, and Michele Nycz, 58.

Police discovered several of the animals locked in crates stacked up on each other after they received an anonymous complaint about a possible puppy mill. Most of them were reportedly in poor physical health.

"The home was full of animal waste, and the animals were living in horrible and inhumane conditions. At least two animals removed were deceased," the Brick Township Police Department said.

At least eight of the animals were transported to emergency veterinary care for treatment, while the remaining were taken to different shelters with the help of several local agencies.

Lonczak and Nycz have been charged with animal cruelty. They have also been slapped with a child endangerment charge after an investigation revealed Locnzak's 16-year-old daughter was living in the residence in unsanitary conditions.

Police received hundreds of emails from people across the country looking for missing pets following the discovery of the alleged puppy mill, NJ.com reported.

Officials have been able to identify and reunite three dogs with their rightful owners so far.

Police believe they know how Lonczak and Nycz were able to obtain so many animals. But the information has not been verified yet, according to Brick Township police officer Scott Smith.