COLUMBIA, Md. — Howard County Police arrested two board members who led operations at the Animal Welfare Society in Columbia.
Police say 48-year-old Scott Pascucci and 46-year-old Julie Mazurkiewicz were arrested at their home Tuesday morning and charged with 50 counts of animal cruelty after 165 animals were found to be living in poor conditions in May.
READ MORE: More than 100 dogs removed from Columbia animal welfare nonprofit
On May 10, Howard County Animal Control received a tip reporting overcrowding, a foul odor, and a lack of cleanliness at the Animal Welfare Society. Animal Control officers removed the animals, including cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and turtles, and transferred them to the county’s Animal Control facility to receive care.
Officials say more than 100 animals have already been placed in good homes and others are still available for adoption. They say some of the animals were too sick to make it and had to be euthanized.
Pascucci and Mazurkiewicz have been released on $25,000 bond. Each of the 50 counts could carry up to a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail.
