A woman from Gray, Maine has been charged with animal cruelty after 80 dogs were seized from her home.
According to court documents, Anita McBride had the dogs living in deplorable conditions. She has also been charged with operating a breeding kennel without a license.
“It’s a witch hunt,” McBride told necn. She did not want to appear on camera but wanted to explain her side of the story.
McBride said she moved in with her mother a few weeks ago to try and held care for her. She brought with her 40 adult dogs, and they started to have puppies.
“I was between a rock and a hard place,” McBride said. She started to sell the puppies. “I had to do what I had to do to care for my dogs and my mom.”
Customers complained that the dogs they bought from McBride were sick. Animal welfare officers launched an investigation, and searched the home on several occasions.
In a search warrant, one officer describes dogs living in their own filth, without enough food or water. The officer said the scent of ammonia was so strong, it made her eyes water. Veterinary tests showed several dogs had parasites.
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“My mom’s house was cluttered, but I wouldn’t say there was feces and urine everywhere,” said McBride. She added that the living arrangement was supposed to be temporary.
Officers say McBride was advised several times to surrender some of the animals to be in a more manageable situation, but they say McBride became confrontational.
The state decided to seize 80 dogs from McBride. One still remains at her home.
For now, the animals are either in foster homes or animal shelters across the state receiving medical attention. There is a court hearing scheduled for Feb. 20th to determine custody of the animals. McBride plans to ask for the animals back.
