Police find 40 dead animals in Maryland home

(CBS) COLUMBIA, Md. - Authorities are now searching for a woman who may be associated with an animal rescue group after officers found dozens of dead animals inside her home.

CBS Baltimore reports a search of the Columbia woman's home uncovered the bodies of 40 dead animals.

The animals had no food, no water, and no heat. Some of them were found stuffed in a freezer. Birds, cats, rabbits, snakes, guinea pigs - 19 of them in the freezer, and 21 others dead in the home of cages. Two cats, a bearded dragon lizard, and gerbil were found alive but sick.

Neighbors pulled out their cameras as police began removing the bodies from the home.

"It was just sickening. My wife, she was going to throw up. She was disgusted," said Michael Antonucci, a neighbor.

Neighbors say the renters living there hadn't been to the house in weeks. The discovery came when the property owners came to check on the house after complaints came in of a foul smell.

"I saw them when they first went in," a neighbor said. "He walked in and walked right out. Nobody could stay in long . . . the odor."

No one occupies the house to the left, and in the house to the right the new neighbor said they had not smelled anything unusual.

Neighbors say the renters were involved in some animal rescue organization. Police believe they know who to blame.

"Right now we are working to figure out where she is so that we can interview her," said Sherry Llewelyn, Howard County Police.

"How can someone who loves animals and rescues them leave those animals to die?" Antonucci said, troubled by the news.

So far, no arrests have been made. Police say the person or persons responsible will likely face animal cruelty charges.