A woman has been arrested after police and animal control rescued over 50 dogs that were found living in horrid conditions at a home in Wauconda.
The Wauconda Police Department responded on Wednesday to the 200 block of Sky Hill Road in Wauconda for a report of animal cruelty at a residence.
Wauconda Police Department Public Information Officer Heather Cognac said the complainant reported a large number of dogs, possibly between 50 and 60, living in unsanitary and overcrowded conditions.
The complainant also reported that there was no air conditioning and there was evidence of inbreeding.
Officers detected a strong odor of urine from outside the home and observed feces on the driveway when they arrived, Cognac said.
The homeowner, identified as Carol Reith, 59, of Wauconda, initially claimed to have only four dogs but later admitted to having a recent litter of puppies.
An officer was granted limited entry into the home but he was forced to retreat due to “overwhelming odors” of urine and bleach, Cognac said.
The Wauconda Fire Department was called to assess air quality.
Cognac said no hazardous readings were detected but the stench and overall condition prompted further action.
The Lake County Animal Care and Control and the Lake County Health Department were notified.
Animal control officials determined that the living conditions constituted animal cruelty after evaluating the home and animals.
The residence was red-tagged and deemed uninhabitable by the Village of Wauconda Building and Zoning Department, Cognac said.
Reith signed consent forms to allow a full search of the home and to relinquish custody of the animals.
An animal control officer suffered a dog bite during the removal process and required medical attention.
A total of 52 dogs were removed from the home.
Cognac said the dogs were turned over to Reach Rescue, Wags 2 Wishes Animal Rescue, Waukegan Police Animal Control and Lake County Animal Care and Control.
Reith was arrested and charged with animal cruelty. She was released with a future court date of July 24.