Deputies were stunned when they found a woman’s dead body and more than 100 dogs living in deplorable conditions at a home in Marlow, Oklahoma.
Team members from the Humane Society of Tulsa and Stephens County Humane Society arrived at the home to help officers rescue these animals, many who were suffering from medical conditions.
The Humane Society is classifying this as a puppy mill, since the animals have been severely neglected, had no water, food or shelter, and many were bred repeatedly for profit.
Some of the dogs were confined to tiny cages, while others were living in complete filth. They had skin infections, eye infections or ear infections that were never treated and got so bad that they were causing the animals severe pain.
Some of the dogs had to be sedated just so staff could shave them because of how matted their hair was.
In addition to the dogs, rescuers also confiscated sheep and a cat from the property.
All of the animals are being processed and evaluated, before being transported to The Humane Society of Tulsa, where they will receive the utmost care until they are ready to find their forever homes.
The owner, 49-year-old Karen Jean Prichard, was booked into the Stephens County Detention Center, and is now facing charges of second-degree murder and animal cruelty.
The deceased body found was that of 31-year-old Ashley Nicole Anderson who may have been there to help with the dogs. She appears to have died from blunt-force trauma injuries, but the official cause of death has not yet been determined.