Metro Animal Control said they're dealing with one of the largest animal cruelty cases in recent history.

More than 60 animals, some of them sick and hurt, were taken from a west Nashville home on Monday.

"We've got a dozen or so cats with respiratory infection. There eyes are all matted together," said Billy Biggs, of Metro Animal Control.

(Photo courtesy of MSNBC)  Acting on a tip, Biggs went to a west Nashville home and found 25 dogs, 35 cats and 11 birds living in questionable conditions that animal control described as unsanitary.

Many of the animals were ill or injured, including a bird that may have a broken leg.

The animals' owner, Carolyn Bauer, faces 64 animal cruelty charges and said she rescues animals, heals them and then adopts them to good homes.

Biggs said situations such as this are becoming more common.

"Their heart is in the right place, and they think they're doing a wonderful thing for the animals, but when you have a situation like that where they're are in crates and in their own feces, it's not doing the animals any good at all," said Biggs.

None of Bauer's animals are available for adoption right now because they are evidence in the case.

Depending on what the court finds, she may be able to get some of her animals back.

Animal control said their facilities were already at capacity before they had to take all of Bauer's animals.

Bauer is free right now but will have to turn herself into police next month. If convicted, each misdemeanor animal cruelty charge could bring up to almost a year in jail.

Reference:

MSNBC