36 Border Collies Rescued from ‘Deplorable’ Florida Home as Woman Faces 72 Animal Cruelty Charges

The dogs were found covered in feces and urine and are now receiving medical care, grooming and nourishment at a local humane society

NEED TO KNOW

• 36 border collies were rescued from a Palm City, Fla., home in an animal-hoarding investigation
• Paige O’Donnell faces 72 charges, including 36 felony counts of animal cruelty, in connection with the investigation
• The dogs are now receiving medical care, grooming and nourishment at the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast

A Florida woman is facing 72 charges after authorities rescued 36 border collies from a Palm City home where deputies said the dogs were living in severely unsanitary conditions.

Paige O’Donnell, 62, was arrested following an animal-hoarding investigation at her home. The dogs were found covered in feces and urine and were in need of immediate care, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation began after deputies and Animal Services officers obtained a search warrant for O’Donnell’s home on Aug. 10.

The home was filled with feces, urine-soaked items, boxes and other debris, making it challenging for authorities to locate and safely remove the animals. Due to the hazardous conditions, deputies and Animal Services officers wore Tyvek protective suits while inside the residence, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff John Budensiek described the condition of the animals in an interview with FOX13.

“The food bowls, the water bowls in there are covered in feces,” Budensiek told the outlet. “The animals themselves, the dogs, which are supposed to be border collies, beautiful dogs, are covered with feces. They’re supposed to [be] white and black dogs and they’re solid black from the feces so our animal control and our detectives behind us have been trying to catch these dogs, take them to the Humane Society where they can get the proper care that they deserve, get them cleaned and Paige right now is going to face two charges for every single animal that we recover out of this house.”

Authorities said O’Donnell repeatedly claimed during the investigation that no more than five dogs were inside the home, but deputies ultimately found 36.

“She was actually taking a bath this morning when our units arrived here to take her into custody,” Budensiek told the outlet. “So, she was clean, but the dogs that she’s supposed to be taking care of are in deplorable condition.”

The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast said in a social media post that its shelter is providing the dogs with medical attention, nourishment and grooming while staff assess their needs and determine the best path forward.

Sarah Fisher, a spokesperson for the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, provided a more detailed update on the dogs’ condition when they arrived at the shelter in a statement shared with PEOPLE.

“The 36 Border Collies rescued from horrific conditions are now on the road to recovery,” Fisher says. “They arrived at our shelter severely matted with feces and many were shut down, nearly catatonic upon arrival.”

Despite their condition, Fisher says the dogs have already begun showing signs of improvement.

“In just one day, we’ve already seen their spirits begin to lift and tails start to wag,” she says.

The Humane Society’s team is carefully grooming each dog and providing medicated baths while treating skin and eye infections with antibiotics, according to Fisher. The dogs are also receiving pain and anxiety medications as needed, she says.

“They still have a long road ahead, but I think they are starting to realize that their lives have changed for the better,” Fisher says.

The organization also asked the public for donations on their socials, saying the cost of caring for the dogs comes as the shelter was already facing significant challenges.

The legal case moved forward Aug. 11, when O’Donnell made her first court appearance. A judge set her total bond at $275,000 and ordered as a condition of her bond that she cannot own or possess any animals, either temporarily or permanently, according to the sheriff’s office.

O’Donnell is facing 36 felony counts of animal cruelty and 36 misdemeanor counts for failing to provide the dogs with proper exercise or air, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff said the condition of the dogs was particularly upsetting because, in his view, help had previously been available to O’Donnell.

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“I’m sad for the dogs,” Budensiek told FOX13. “I’m sad that they live like that for a period of time… Anger really pops to the surface first for me because she knew better. She knew what she was doing and there’s multiple people that have tried to help her. The Humane Society tried to help her. DCF tried to help her. Martin County Sheriff’s Office tried to help her. Not only did she deny the help, but she… On purpose kept these dogs trapped in this jail that she has behind us and abused them for lack of a better word.”

The Humane Society said it plans to provide updates as the dogs’ condition allows, but that its immediate focus remains on their well-being.

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