Animal group: Kennel kept dead animals in unusual place

AMHERST, N.Y. -- The owner and operator of a suburban Buffalo kennel have been charged after authorities found dozens of animals living in deplorable conditions and nearly as many dead ones stored in freezers.

The 53-year-old woman who owns the Dodge Boarding Kennels in Amherst and the 49-year-old woman who ran the facility were each charged Wednesday with five counts of animal cruelty.

The five counts are based on the number of animal species found when the kennel was raided Nov. 7: cats, dogs, reptiles, birds and small exotics.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says it removed 77 live animals and amphibians from the facility. They also found 72 dead animals in freezers.

Officials say many of the cats and dogs were malnourished and had severely matted hair.