RACINE -- Two people in Racine have been charged with mistreating dozens of animals.
Heather D. Jensen, 33, and Terry S. Bogard, 63, face 26 counts each of intentionally or negligently mistreating animals, according to a criminal complaint.
Jensen operated "Lucky Mutts" dog rescue at a home in the 1400 block of Harmony Dr., with Bogard, her boyfriend, according to the complaint. When officers were called to the home, they found dogs trapped in cages "too small to allow the dogs to move freely...the cages were all stacked on top of each other."
The complaint says the walls of the home were streaked with "mud or feces," and the floors were covered "in a thick coat of dog fur." The smell of urine was so strong that one responding officer reported "I was able to stay inside of the home approximately 30 seconds."
"No animal should be living like that that's deplorable," said James Gordon, a neighbor. "We thought they were actually taking good care of the animals that were in the house, but unfortunately that's not the case."
In all, 26 dogs were removed from the home. 24 were taken to the humane society, while two were turned over to family members as they belonged to Jensen.
If convicted of all counts, Jensen and Bogard both face up to 19 and a half years in prison. Lucky Mutts Rescue didn't return our request for comment, but their Facebook page says Jensen has been removed from her position as president.
