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Burlco woman indicted on animal cruelty charges

Donna Roberts was charged last year after 44 dead dogs were found at her residence.

This photo provided by the Monmouth County SPCA shows some of the dogs rescued from a home in Burlington County, New Jersey. New Jersey State Police say that 44 frozen dogs and 130 live dogs were found at the Shamong Township, N.J., home of 65-year-old Donna Roberts, who was charged with animal cruelty following an inspection Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, at her residence, which reeked of animal feces and urine. (Lindsay Sanator/Monmouth County SPCA via AP)
This photo provided by the Monmouth County SPCA shows some of the dogs rescued from a home in Burlington County, New Jersey. New Jersey State Police say that 44 frozen dogs and 130 live dogs were found at the Shamong Township, N.J., home of 65-year-old Donna Roberts, who was charged with animal cruelty following an inspection Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, at her residence, which reeked of animal feces and urine. (Lindsay Sanator/Monmouth County SPCA via AP)Read moreLindsay Sanator / AP

A 66-year-old Shamong Township woman was indicted this week on eight counts of animal cruelty for the inhumane treatment of dogs that were injured or died in her care, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said Wednesday.

Donna Roberts, of the 500 block of Oakshade Road, was charged late last year after New Jersey State Police found 44 dead dogs stored in freezers at her residence. Authorities also found 161 dogs living in filthy conditions when they executed a search warrant at her property. The pervasive odor of animal feces and ammonia caused several responders to experience dizziness and nausea.

Complaints by neighbors and others about the property led to the township passing an ordinance that resulted in the animal-welfare raid.

Roberts was not detained pending trial but has been forbidden by a judge from owning, possessing, or caring for any animals.