Hackettstown police said a 58-year-old woman is charged with failing to properly care for animals.
A Hackettstown woman with 15 dogs and cats inside her home is facing charges of failing to provide proper care for the animals.
Ann Loux, 58, of Hackettstown, was keeping the animals in "deplorable conditions," police said. There were a total of 11 dogs and 4 cats that were taken by authorities out of the home and into a boarding facility.
Loux's house was investigated shortly after 3:30 p.m. Jan. 21 by Hackettstown police, the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Warren County Health Department. A patrolling officer smelled a strong feces odor coming from Loux's Valentine Street home, police said.
The officer also found a broken window at the home and several dogs barking inside. The odor on the property became too unbearable for the officer and he called the other agencies in to help assist, police said.
The NJSPCA charged Loux with failure to provide necessary care to animals when in charge and failure to provide necessary care to animals. Loux was released, pending an appearance in municipal court.
Loux has a disconnected telephone number and couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday.
Hackettstown police said they continue to investigate.
Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.