COLUMBIA, Md. — From the outside looking in-- the Animal Welfare Society building in Columbia looks like a place of refuge.
What a concerned citizen who brought the issues to police attention said was happening inside was so bad that every single animal was cleared out and the people running it were arrested.
RELATED: Two board members arrested in animal cruelty case at Columbia Animal Welfare non-profit
“Unsanitary conditions, overcrowding, foul orders,” said Howard County Police Spokesperson Sherry Llewellyn. “We were able to take 165 animals out of that facility.”
Animals like Socks, who was named for his white pattern on his feet.
On Tuesday, two people police said are responsible for those animals well-being were charged with more than 50 counts of animal cruelty.
“There were cats, dogs, rabbits, some guinea pigs and turtles,” Llewellyn said.
As of now, 100 of those animals have been adopted – but there are still plenty that need a home.
“They especially need some special care," Llewellyn said. "We’re hoping that people continue to be generous and decide that there is a place in their home for these animals.”
Scott Pascucci and Julie Mazurkiewicz are the two board member who led operations at the non-profit.
Pascucci and Mazurkiewicz were arrested at their home and charged with 50 counts each of animal cruelty.
“The animal cruelty were indicative of the fact that these animals were living in such unsanitary conditions and that these people caused pain and suffering to these animals and that’s why these cruelty charges were applicable,” Llewellyn said.
Both of the board members were released on $25,000 bail.
For more information on adopting the animals click here.
