A woman accused of hoarding 36 Border Collies in her home in Martin County was arrested on Monday, deputies said.
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Paige O’Donnell, 62, was charged with torture to inflict pain/serious physical death and keeping animals in enclosures without exercise and air.
According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were searching a home in the 1200 block of Southwest Alligator Street.
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Deputies said the search was part of an ongoing investigation by Martin County Animal Services.
During the search, deputies removed the Border Collies from the home, where the conditions were so bad that detectives needed to wear Tyvek protective clothing because there was an accumulation of feces, urine-soaked materials and debris.
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O’Donnell was then arrested.
An investigation into the incident remains active.