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A Mahoning County grand jury indicted a woman on two dozen counts of animal cruelty after animal welfare officials said several dead dogs were found in a home in Alliance.

Animal welfare coordinator Jane MacMurchy told 21 News that the incident occurred in February 2024 when animal welfare officers were called to a home on Alden Avenue in Alliance.

Animal control officers found about 10 to 12 dead dogs and two alive. MacMurchy said the two living dogs had starved to death and some of the dead dogs were partially dismembered.

According to MacMurchy, the dogs were so starving that they began eating each other to survive.

According to a police report from Smith Township police, who responded to the scene, officers smelled feces and dead animals as soon as they arrived. Police discovered piles of mail on the porch and the door was slightly open.

When the police entered the building, they noticed that the floor was covered in feces several centimeters deep.

“The smell in the house was unbearable and it was difficult to breathe. There was no part of the floor that was not covered with feces and garbage,” the report said.

Police found a dead dog and a dead cat in the house.

According to police, a trailer was also parked in front of the house. When the trailer was examined, several more dead dogs and two dogs were found that were still alive. Police say the dead dogs appeared to be malnourished and some were half-eaten.

According to police, the trailer appeared to be in the same condition as the house, and every inch of the trailer was covered in stacked feces.

The report states that the Mahoning County Health Department was called to seize both the house and the trailer.

21 News sent a crew to the address provided and found nothing but an empty lot. Sebring Fire Chief Michael Springer told 21 News the house has since burned down, presumably due to arson.

MacMurchy said the suspect, 59-year-old Denise Wiggins, was aware of all of this but did nothing to stop or prevent it.

According to the indictment, such incidents occurred between November 2023 and February 2024, involving several Chihuahuas. Cats are also mentioned in some of the indictments.

The police report states that Wiggins turned herself in to the Smith Township Police Department and told police she knew the dogs were starving and freezing but was “too embarrassed” to ask for help.

Wiggins is accused of 24 counts of animal cruelty. A court date for her has not yet been set.

MacMurchy says Smith Township police responded to the scene.

21 News is working to learn more about this case. Stay tuned online and on air for the latest updates.