Dozens of animals rescued from breeding operation

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Apr 23, 2008 at 6:05 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 24, 2008 at 7:42 AM EST

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (AP) — Police on Wednesday rescued more than 60 dogs and puppies, a dozen cats and a horse from the home of a breeder who they say kept the animals in filthy conditions.

Officials executed a search warrant and say they found sick, injured animals with lifeless limbs, swollen eyes, open sores, infections and matted hair.

The Sterling Heights woman who ran the breeding operation faces animal neglect and cruelty charges, police told the Detroit Free Press for an online story published Wednesday evening. They said she has sold dogs to the public since 1974.

Court records indicate the woman was charged in 2004 with six counts of animal abandonment and cruelty after other animals were found in filthy conditions.

Officials said some of the more than 60 dogs and puppies have ulcers in their eyes and may lose their sight. Many of the cats have upper respiratory infections.

The dogs were confined to feces-steeped wire cages and surrounded by flies, mice and rats at Lornich Kennels in the Detroit suburb of Sterling Heights. The horse was skinny and filthy.

Three rescue groups assisting police took the dogs and cats to veterinary clinics for examinations.

One Chihuahua with red, swollen feet was caked in feces and slumped over, his head in a dirty food dish. He struggled to stand up and lift his head when a rescuer approached the cage.

"I thought he was dead when I saw him," the rescuer, Karen Cameron, told the Free Press.

The dogs included rottweilers, Dobermans, Chihuahuas, Lhasa apsos, shih tzus and rat terriers.

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