Woman With Dozens of Animals in Custody

WHITEFORD, Md. - A woman charged with 118 counts of animal cruelty after dozens of dogs and cats, more than 40 of them dead, were found at two houses was in custody Monday night, authorities said.

Donna Lee Bell, 59, of Whiteford, was arrested at her ex-husband's house in Essex in Baltimore County Monday, according to Bob Thomas, a spokesman for the Harford County sheriff's office. Bell was to be brought before a bail commissioner late Monday, he said.

Whiteford complained of chest pains Friday after deputies with search warrants arrived at one of two houses she owns and was taken to Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air. She was released from the hospital Sunday night and police had been searching for her since then.

The animals that were still alive were found in varying conditions of health, Thomas said. Fecal matter was piled more than two feet deep in the kitchen and animal control officers found rats among the skeletal remains of some of the dogs, he said. The search warrant was obtained after neighbors complained about the stench emanating from the houses.

Each count of animal cruelty carries a maximum of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 dollar fine.