Two women are facing animal cruelty charges in the Dodge Boarding Kennel case.
The SPCA has identified the animals' owner as Maria Faricellie, 53, of East Amherst and their caretaker as Sheila Meli, 49 of Niagara Falls. Each face five counts of animal cruelty in connection with more than 140 living and deceased animals found at the Dodge Boarding Kennels in Getzville last month.
SPCA officials served a search warrant for the kennel, located on Dodge Road, following a tip and several visits to the property.
At the time of the raid, the SPCA's Gina Browning told us they found 71 living animals, noting "some of them appear malnourished, dehydrated. The animals are living in filthy conditions. The animals are severely matted. It looks like different species of animals are suffering from individual problems."
The search also revealed 72 deceased animals that were bagged and stored in freezers, some with dates that went back to 2011.
Both women are due in Amherst Town Court on January 15th.
